An Egyptian Princess

BOHN’S NOVELISTS’ LIBRARY.

AN EGYPTIAN PKINCESS.

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS

m HISTORICAL NOVEL

.BY

GEORG EBERS

TRANSLATED BY

EMMA S. RGQRfiEJM

LONDON

G. BELL AND SONS, LTD.
1918

CHISWICK PRESS: CHARLES WHITTINGHAM AND CO.
TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE, LONDON.

FROM THE AUTHOR’S PREFACE 3^ THE
SECOND EDITION.

“ Aut prodesse voluut aut delectare poetoe,

Aut simnl et jucunda et idonea dicere vitae.”

Horace, De Arte Poetica , v. 333.

I CAHHOT conceal from myself that there exists a
large number of scholars who take it amiss if a student
of science clothes the result of his researches in a fanciful
garb. I partly agree with them, but the rapid sale of the
first edition of this volume proves that the public is grate-
ful to the scholar who does not disdain to make them ac-
quainted with the results of his labour in the form which is
most attractive to them. At all events, there are fewmethods
better calculated to instruct and stimulate a large number
of people than that which I have mentioned. Whoever
takes up a scientific book already feels an interest in
science, but perhaps some who seek amusement in the
present volume will, when they lay it down, be induced to
turn to a more learned work, and may even be won over to
the study of antiquity.

We know little of the domestic life of the G-reeks and
Iranians before the Persian war (we are better acquainted
with that of the Egyptians), so that even the most uncom-
promising and learned historian of the private life of the
civilized races of the sixth century b.c. would be obliged to
seek the aid of the imagination. „ He might, however,
escape the anachronisms which cannot be avoided by the
author of a work such as I have undertaken. Industry
and care are a safeguard against actual blunders ; but I
neither could nor would neglect the point of view of

VI

AUTHOR’S .PREFACE.

the age and the country to which my readers and I "belong.
My work would have been not only unintelligible but
devoid of interest to the modern reader if I had described
purely ancient characters and conditions. The actors will
therefore resemble Persians and Egyptians, but their words,
more than their actions, will reveal the German author
who cannot always rise superior to the sentimentality of
his age, who was born in the nineteenth century after
the birth of Christ, that great teacher whose words have
exercised so mighty an influence on the feelings and
thoughts of humanity.

I owe my thanks to Professor Lepsius, who pointed
out to me that a description of Egyptian art alone would
greatly fatigue the reader. I followed his advice, and even
in the first edition I so arranged the material borrowed
from Herodotus, that the reader is introduced to a Greek
society, the characteristics of which will not be wholly
foreign to him, a society with which he has something in
common, namely, love of the beautiful and of art. He
advances through this Greek forecourt, and enters Egypt
duly prepared. He then proceeds to Persia and finally
returns to the Nile. It is desired that he should feel an
equal interest in all the races I have mentioned, and it
is for this reason that I have not limited the story to one
hero. I have tried to individualize the three nations by in-
troducing striking representatives of each. I have, how-
ever, called my novel u An Egyptian Princess,” because
Nitetis* fate exercised a strong influence on the welfare of
the other actors, so that she deserves to be looked on as
the central figure.

In describing Amasis I have followed Herodotus*
masterly account, the truth of which is confirmed by a
picture of this king found on an ancient monument. I
made use of Herodotus’ account in drawing the traits
underlying Cambyses’ character, and indeed the whole
novel is based on the work of the great historian who lived
but a few generations after the occurrence of the events
narrated in this novel. I have not followed the “ father of
history,” in every respect. In the development of the
characters I pursued the course which is marked out by
psychology, and I have" everywhere made use of the hiero-

author’s preface.

vii

glyphic and cuneiform inscriptions. Certainly they con-
firm the account of the Halicamassian in many respects.
I have followed Herodotus in letting Bartja die after the
conquest of Egypt, because I cannot agree with the usual
translation of the inscription at Behistan. It runs as
follows: “*One Cambujiya byname, son of Curu, of our
family, was formerly king here, and he had a brother,
Bartiya by name, of the same father and mother as Cam-
bujiya,. Hereupon Cambujiya killed Bartiya.” I cannot
enter into linguistical discussions in this book, which is in-
tended for the general public, but even the uninitiated
must see that the word “ hereupon ” conveys no meaning in
the above connection. The inscription agrees with Hero-
dotus in other respects, and I think lean explain away the
discrepancy between the account of the Halicamassian
and that of Darius, but I will reserve this for another place.

I have explained in the book (p. 39) why I have made
Fhanes the Halicamassian, an Athenian; I might have
avoided this misstatement in the first edition, but to do so
now would be to completely alter the story. I must apolo-
gise for the means employed to make Hitetis very young, for
in spite of the kindness of Amasis’ disposition, which is
praised by Herodotus, it seems very improbable that king
Hophra lived twenty years after his fall. Still it is not im-
possible, for it can be proved that Amasis did not persecute
the family of his predecessor. A certain Psamtik, who be-
longed to the fallen dynasty, lived on into the seventeenth
year of Amasis’ reign, a fact which is mentioned on a stele
in the Leyden Museum, and died aged seventy-five.

I must add a few words regarding Bhodopis. Passages
7 *n the writings of Herodotus and other authors prove that
she must have been a very remarkable woman. Her name,
which means “rosy-cheeked,” shows that she must have
been beautiful. Herodotus particularly refers to her
amiability. The fact that legend and tradition have done
their utmost to immortalise her name, is the best proof of
the high esteem in which she was held. Bhodopis, “as many
say,” built the most beautiful of the Pyramids (that of
Mycerinus or Menkera) A story narrated by iEllan and
Strabo, perhaps, forms the basis of our best and oldest
fairy tale, “ Cinderella,” and a legend connected with her

viii author’s preface.

presents some analogy to the story of the 1 Loreley.
According to iElian an eagle, according to Strabo the wind,
carried off the shoes of Ehodopis when she was bathing
in the Nile at Naucratis, and laid them at the feet of the
Mng, who was pronouncing judgment in the market-place*
He was so struck by the beauty of the sandals^that he did
not rest till he had found the owner and made her his
wife. It is said that a beautiful naked woman is em
throned on one of the Pyramids, and robs all travellers of
their senses ( homines insanire faciat) by her beauty. Her
name is Ehodopis. Thomas Moore, who borrowed
the legend from Zoega, made use of it in the following
lines :

“ Fair Rhodope, as story tells,

The bright, unearthly nymph who dwells
’Mid sunless gold and jewels hid,

The Lady of the Pyramid.”

These stories, in spite of their legendary nature, render it
evident that Ehodopis was a remarkable woman. Some
writers are too rash when they try to prove that the
Thracian was the same as the beautiful, heroic Queen
Nitocris, of whom Manetho, Eusebius, <fcc., speak, and
whose name (victorious Neith) has been found on the
monuments and refers to a queen of the sixth dynasty,
but they strengthen the theory of our heroine’s importance.
Undoubtedly tbe legends told of the one belong to the
other. Herodotus lived so short a time after Ehodopis,
and the account he gives of her private life is so detailed
and realistic, that we cannot look on her as a fabulous
being. Darius’ letter at the end of the book is intended to
connect the Greek Ehodopis with the traditionary builder of
the Pyramids. The former was called Doricha by Sappho.
Perhaps that was her name before she was styled “the
rosy-cheeked.”

With regard to the love scenes between Bartja and
Sappho, I cannot deny that the question has arisen : “ Did
the ancients know love in our acceptance of the term, or is
this a product of Christianity ? ” The motto which I
attached to the preface of the first edition shows that I had
experienced similar doubts.

“ It has often been remarked that there are undeniable

AUTHOR^ PREPACE.

XX

traces of modern sentimentality contained in tlie letters of
Cicero and Pliny tlie yonnger. To me they seem only the
utterances of that deep feeling which is the lot of all sor-
rowing hearts in every age, and in every race.” — Alexander
v. Humboldt.

I entirely agree with our great master of science, and
I should like to point out that we possess love stories
written by heathens. I will only mention “Amor and
Psyche” by Apuleius. Love was not unknown to anti-
quity. Are there any finer representations of strong pas-
sion than those which we find in Sappho’s poems ? Where
is there a nobler picture of patient love than that which
Homer shows us in Penelope ? Where can we find a finer
instance of the faithful union of two hearts, even in death,
than that which Xenophon has preserved in the story of
Panthea and Abradatas, or than that of the G-aul Sabinus
and his wife in the time of Vespasian? Do we know a
more refined story than that of the halcyons (kingfishers)
who are so attached to each other that when the male
is paralyzed by age, the female bears him on her wings
wherever he wishes to go ? The gods reward such
love, and when the pair builds its nest and hatches its
young, the winds and waves are hushed, and the sun
shines brightly during these “halcyon days.” Can love
stories be said to be wanting when a voluptuary like
Antony desires in his will, that wherever he may die, his
body is to be placed beside that of his beloved Cleopatra ?
Can we say that the chivalry of love is unknown, in a land
where Queen Berenice’s beautiful hair was made a con-
stellation? Can we say that a nation was incapable of
sacrifices for love, when we see it waging terrible wars
with bitter obstinacy for this cause ? The Greeks had
an insult to avenge, but the Trojans fought for the pos-
session of Helen, for “ the old men of Hion are willing
to bear suffering for the sake of such a woman.” Does not
Theocritus’ poem “ The Sorceress,” settle the whole ques-
tion ? The poor deserted girl crouches with her old nurse,
Thestylis, before the fire, over which a wryneck sits in its
wheel, for it is said to possess the power of bringing back
the faithless Delphis. An Assyrian taught Simaitha the
arts of magic, and she tries them all. The distant roar of

X

Auf&OR’s preface.

the sea, the smoking fire, the dogs howling in the streets,
the tortured, restless bird, the old servant, the broken-
hearted girl, the horrible implements of magic, all these
form a weird scene, the influence of which is heightened
by the calm, cold moonlight. ISTow the old woman leaves
the girl and Simaitha ceases her incantations, lets her
tears flow, and raises her eyes to Selene, the moon, the
silent confidant of lovers, and tells her all that has taken
place, how she saw handsome Delphis, and how her heart
was filled with love for him.

The love of the creature for its creator, of mankind for the
Deity, are the sublime gifts of Christianity. The command
to love our neighbour created the idea of love for humanity,
nay, humanity itself, an idea unknown to heathen nations,
who knew no higher goal than love of their native town
and their country. Christianity undoubtedly had a good
influence on the love between man and woman, but we can
believe that a Greek loved with the same intensity of
feeling as a Christian. The ancients also resembled us in
this, that a heart filled with love and longing was deeply
influenced by nature.

These words seemed necessary to meet the objections of
those who declare that a love like that of Sappho and
Bartja was unknown to the ancients, though I grant that
such strong love was more exceptional in their days than
in our own. In conclusion, I must confess that I have
probably painted the two in too glowing colours. But
why may I not claim the license of the poet in a poetical
description P

The notes will show that I have not taken this liberty in
other cases. These notes seemed necessary partly to ex-
plain the less known names, partly to justify the author
in the eyes of scholars . 1

1 The notes have been greatly curtailed in the translation. Those
only have been retained which seemed necessary for the elucidation of
the text. Reference notes, and those intended to prove the author’s
statements, have been omitted, as Professor Ebers’ name is a sufficient
guarantee for the correctness of his facts.— T eaks.

author’s preface.

XI

FROM THE PREFACE TO THE FOURTH
EDITION.

While correcting the proofs of the third edition I was
preparing for a journey to the Nile. I look back on my
stay in Egypt in 1872-73 with special satisfaction, for by a
fortunate accident I was enabled to find many new treasures,
among them one of incomparable value, the great hieratic
manuscript now preserved in the Leipsic Museum, and
bearing my name. Ebers’ papyrus, the second largest and
the best preserved of all the documents of ancient Egypt
still extant, was written in the sixteenth century b.c.,
and its 110 pages contain the hermetic book on the medi-
cinal remedies of the old Egyptians, which was known to
the Greeks of Alexandria. The god Thoth (Hermes) is
called the guide of the physician, and the various treatises
which compose this book are revelations from the deity.
In this ancient scroll diagnoses are drawn up and remedies
prescribed for the external and internal diseases affecting
most parts of the human body. The numbers referring
to the weights and measures are attached to each drug. The
prescriptions are accompanied by texts which the physician
is to repeat while making up the medicine, and while ad-
ministering it to his patient. The second line of the first
page describes the document as coming from Sais. One
long chapter is devoted to the optic nerve. The hook on
the eye begins page 55, line 20, and fills eight long pages.
Till now we were obliged to refer to Greek and Latin
authors for information regarding the oculistic knowledge
of the Egyptians. The Papyrus Ebers is the sole Egyptian
work from which we can learn anything regarding this
branch of medicine among the ancients.

These words seem out of place in the preface to a novel,
but the subject deserves mention here. Is it not remark-

author's preface.

alble that it was reserved for the author of “ An Egyptian
Princess ” to discover this document P The reader will find
an oculist from Sais among the characters in the book,
who writes a work treating of diseases of th$ eye. The
fate of this valuable work has an important bearing on the
events of the story. The scroll of the oculist of Sais,
which till now existed only in the imagination of the author
and of the readers of “An Egyptian Princess/' has be-
come a reality. I am like the man who discovered on
the road the treasure of which he had dreamed.

TABLE OP CONTENTS,

CHAT. PAGE

I. Rhodopis 1

XX, Tub Olympic Games ...... 15

III. Rhodopis anjd Phanks 35

IV. The Ivesian Emu asst 42

V, A Banquet at Court 58

VI, Father and Son 66

VII. Sais 75

VIII. The Plight of Phanes . . . . . .93

IX. First Love 105

X, Phamtik’s Threat 11&

XI. A Love Scene .121

XII. The Arrival at Babylon 135

XIII. Nitetis’ New Home 154

XIV. The King’s Birthday 169

XV. A Letter from Egypt 189

XVI. Books’ Plot 200

XV1L The Poisoned Cup ....... 214

XVIII. The Arrest of Bartja . . . . . . 228

XIX. Condemned to Death iui

XX. Boobs Triumphant 256

XXI. A New Witness 268

XXII. The Acquittal ........ 285

XXIII. Old Hib 295

XXIV. The Death of Nitetis 314

XXV. Bartja’s Illness 334

X2CVL The Three Friends in Egypt .... 350

XIV

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAP. PAGR

XXVII. The Wedding 366

XXVIII. The Battle • , , 389

XXIX. An Expedition on ’the Nile 409

XXX. The Shooting Match 424

XXXI. The Kings Remojese 437

XXXII. The Death os Cajwbtses , „ , * „ 433

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

CHAPTER I.

RHODOPIS.

T HE Nile had overflowed its hanks. An immense ex-
panse o£ water extended on all sides where nsnally
luxuriant fields and blooming gardens were to be seen.
The gigantic temples and palaces of the towns, which were
protected by dykes, the roofs of the villages, and the tops
of the tall palms and acacias alone were visible above the
flood. The branches of the sycamores and plantains hung
low in the water, while the tall, white poplars with their
upturned boughs seemed endeavouring to avoid all contact
with it. The full moon had risen and shed its mild rays
on the Libyan Heights, that were seen against the western
horizon. Blue and white lotus-flowers floated on the sur-
face of the water. Bats of every description glided and
flitted through the calm night air, fragrant with the scent
of the blossoming acacias and jessamine. Wild pigeons and
other birds slumbered in the tree-tops, while pelicans,
storks, and cranes cowered on the bank, protected by the
green papyrus reeds and other plants which grew there. The
former tucked their heads with their long bills under their
wings during their sleep, and did not stir ; but the cranes
started every time the stroke of an oar or the song^ of the
busy boatman was heard, and peered into the distance,
turning their slender necks anxiously from side to side.
There was not a breath of wind, and the reflection of the
moon, which floated like a silver shield on the surface of
the water, showed that the Nile, which leaps wildly over
the cataracts and rushes swiftly past the gigantic temples

2

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

of Upper Egypt, Had given up its impetuou s career, and
adopted a tranquil course where it approached the ocean by
means of different branches.

On this moonlight night, 598 years before /the birth of
our Saviour, a bark jxissed over the Canopic mouth of the
Nile, which was almost free from currents. An Egyptian
sat on the high roof of the upper deck, and from liis post
directed the long pole of the rudder. In the boat itself,
half -naked men sang as they performed their task. In the
open cabin, which resembled a wooden bower, two men lay
on low cushions. They were evidently not Egyptians.
Even the moonlight betrayed their Greek origin. The
elder, an unusually tall and powerful man of about sixty,
whose thick grey locks fell carelessly on his thick-set neck,
and who wore a simple cloak, looked gloomily at the stream,
while his companion, a slender, well-built man, perhaps
twenty years his junior, gazed at the sky, called out to the
steersman, threw his beautiful deep violet chlamys 1 into
fresh folds, or busied himself with the arrangement of his
scented brown locks or delicately curled beard.

About half-an-hour before, the boat had sailed fromNau-
cratis, 2 the only Greek port in ancient Egypt. The gloomy,
grey-haired man had not spoken a word during the whole
journey, and the younger man had left him to his own
reflections. When the boat approached the shore, the
restless traveller raised himself and said to his companion :

“ We shall arrive at our destination directly ,^ristomachuak
That pleasant house yonder to the left, in tbTgarden full
of palms, which rises above the flooded fields, 3 is the resi-
dence of my friendLRhodopisJ Her deceased husband

1 The chlamys was a light summer cloak, generally made of costly
material, which was worn chiefly by the elegant Athenians. The simple
cloak, the himation, was worn by the Doric Greeks, especially by the
Spartans.

3 North-west of the Nile delta, in the district of Sais. The Greeks
fortified the town. Alexander selected the neighbourhood of the town
for the site of Alexandria.

3 The story opens in October, when the Nile is already sinking. The
water rises gradually in the beginning of June, it increases in speed
between the I5th and 20th July, and attains its highest point at the
beginning of October. It rises once more after it has begun to sink,
and then falls, first gradually, then with increasing rapidity, and reache*
its lowest point in May.

KHODOPIS.

3

^ CharaxusXmilt it, and all lier friends, even the king him-
self, are -eager to furnish it with new improvements every
year. Quite unnecessary. Though they bring hither all the
treasures of*. the world, the fairest ornament of the house
will always be its glorious mistress.”

The old man raised himself, cast a hasty glance at the
building, arranged with his hand the thick, grey beard
that surrounded his chin and cheeks, but not his lips, and
said ab ruptly, “ You think so much of this Rhodopis,
(plumes^ Since when do Athenians praise old women ? ”
His companion smiled, and replied complacently : “ I think
I am a good judge of mankind, and especially of woman-
kind, and I can assure you that I know no nobler being in
all Egypt than this matron. When you have seen her and
her fair grandchild, and have heard yonr favourite songs
snng by a splendidly trained chorns of slaves, you will, I
am certain, thank me for having brought you hither.”

“Nevertheless,” answered the^Sparfl^ gravely, “Ishould
not have followed you, if I had nof "Hoped to m^efTPhrixu^j
the^Spln^” ^

“ toTwIlfmeet him. I expect, too, that the singing will
do you good, and rouse you from your gloomy brooding.”

Aristomaelius shook his head and answered: “The
songs of home may cheer you, you light-hearted Athenian,
but when I hear the songs of Aleman, 1 1 shall feel as I do
during those nights which I spend in waking dreams.
My longing will not cease, it will be intensified.”

“ Do you think,” asked Phanes, “ that I do not yearn for
my beloved Athens, for the playground of my youth, the
busy life of the market? Truly, I too dislike the bread of
exile, but if is made more palatable by intercourse such as
this house offers ; and when I hear my beloved Greek songs
beautifully sung, my home appears to me in spirit, I see
its olive and pine groves, its cool emerald rivers, its blue
ocean, its gleaming towns, its snowy peaks and marble
halls, and a tear of mingled joy and sorrow rolls down my
cheek when the music ceases, and I awaken to the fact that I
live in Egypt, in this hot, strange, monotonous land, which,

1 The poet Aleman lived about €50 b.c. in Sparta. He was the son of a
Indian slave, was freed by liis master Agesides, and obtained the
rights of citizenship in Sparta.

4

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

tlianks be to the Gods, I shall soon leave. But, Aristomachus,
would you avoid the oasis of the desert, because presently
you will have to journey through the sand again, in want
of water? Would you flee from the happiness which an
hour may bring, because sad days await you ? But stay !
We have arrived. Look cheerful, my friend, for it is not
meet to enter the temples of the Charites with a sad heart.” 1

As he spoke the boat stopped at the wall of the garden,
which was washed by the Nile. The Athenian leapt lightly
from the boat ; the Spartan left it with heavy but firm
tread. Aristomachus had a wooden leg, but he walked as
firmly by the side of light-footed Phanes, as if he had been
born with it.

Bhodopis’ beautiful garden was full of sweet-scented
flowers, insects buzzed on all sides. Acanthus, red pome-
granates, hedges of guelder roses, jessamine and lilac, roses,
and bushes of laburnum, grew close together ; high palms,
acacias, and balsam plants rose above the shrubs ; great
bats hovered over all with delicate wings, and song and
laughter were heard on the stream.

An Egyptian had laid out this garden, and the builders
of the pyramids had for ages been celebrated for their skill
as gardeners. They knew how to lay out the beds neatly,
to plant regular groups of trees and bushes, to arrange
canals and fountains, bowers, and summer-houses; they
even fenced in the paths with artificially cut hedges, and
bred glittering fish in stone basins.

Phanes stopped at the gate of the garden wall, looked
round attentively, and listened. Then he shook his head,
and said, “ I cannot understand what it means. I hear no
voices, I see no lights ; all the boats are gone, and yet the
flag flutters on the coloured staff: beside the obelisks on
each side of the gate. Bhodopis must be absent. Can
they have forgotten ? ” He had not finished, when he was
interrupted by a deep voice : u Ah, the captain of the
body guard.”

“ Good evening to you,< ^na cia§>” cried Phanes in a
pleasant voice, to the old manTwho came towards him.
“How is it that this garden is as silent a3 an Egyptian

1 The Goddesses of Grace, better known by their Roman names of
the Graces ( Aglaia, Thalia, Euphrosyne),

khodopts. 5

tomb, while I see the flag of reception flutter ? Since when
does the white flag invite guests in vain? ”

“ Since wfyen ? ” answered the old slave of Ehodopis,
laughing. “As long as the fParcoe) graciously spare my
mistress, the old flag is sure touring hither as many guests
as the house can hold. Ithodopis is not at home, hut will
return soon. The evening was so beautiful that she and
all her guests decided on an excursion on the Nile. They
sailed two hours ago at sunset, and the meal is already
prepared. 1 They cannot be absent much longer. I entreat
you not to bo impatient, Plianes, but to follow me to the
house. Khodopis would not pardon me if I did not per-
suade so dear a friend to remain. Stranger,” he continued,
addressing the Spartan, “ I beg most heartily that you will
stay, for as a friend of her friend, you will be very welcome
to my mistress.”

The two Greeks followed the servant and sat down in an
arbour.

Aristomachus looked at the moonlit scene around him
and said : “ Tell me, Plianes, by what good fortune was it
brought about, that Ehodopis, a former slave and hetocra,
lives like a queen, and receives her guests in regal
fashion ? ”

“ I have long expected this question,” answered the
Athenian ; “ I am glad that, before you enter this woman’s
house, I can make you acquainted with her past. I did
not wish to force you to listen to a story while wo were on
the Nile. With a power we cannot explain, the old stream
constrains us to meditate in silence. When I rowed on the
Nile at night for the first time, as you have just done, I too
felt as though my usually restless tongue were paralysed.”

“ I thank you,” answered the Spartan. “ When I was
in Crete, I saw for the first time Ex>imenides of Cnossus, 2
who is 150 years old ; his age and sacred character caused
a strange shudder to pass over me. How much older,
how much holier is this ancient stream Aigyptos ? 3 Who
can resist its spell ? But tell me about Bhodopis.”

1 The chief meal, the Deipnon, was generally taken late.

2 Priest of Zeus at Cnossus. According to Pliny he lived to be x'J'3
according to Xenophanus of Colophon, 156 years old

a The Greek name for the Nile.

6

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

“ When Ehodopis was a child, 1 ” began Phanes, “ she was
carried off by Phoenician sailors, as she was playing with
her companions on the Tliracian shore, and was brought
to Samos, where Iadmon a geomore 1 bought her. The
little girl became more beautiful, more graceful, more in-
telligent every day, and soon gained the love and admira-
tion of all who knew her.

“ iEsop, the writer of fables, who was also a slave of
( fadmrnt^ sjb that time, was particularly delighted with the
child's grace and intelligence. He instructed her in every-
thing, and gave her as much attention as though he were
a Pedagogus, such as we Athenians keep for our boys.
The good master found an obedient, intelligent pupil, and
in a short time the little slave spoke, sang, and played with
more skill and greater charm than the sons of Iadmon,
who received most careful instruction. Eliodopis was so
beautiful and accomplished, that the 'jealous wife of lad*,
mon would not allow the girl to remain in her house any
longer, and the reluctant Samian was obliged to sell his
favourite to a certaix^Xanthus) At that time Samos was
still governed by nobles, who were not very wealthy. If
Polycrates had already been at the helm, Xanthus need
not have felt any anxiety about purchasers. These tyrants
fill their treasuries as magpies their nests. As it was,
he went to Naucratis with his treasure, and here he gained
large sums through the charms of his slave. In those
days Ehodopis spent three years of the deepest degra-
dation, on which she looks back with horror. When,
at last, her beauty was celebrated in all Greece, and
strangers came to Hauer atis from far and wide for her
sake, it came to pass that the people of Lesbos exiled
their nobles, and chose Pittacus the wise, as ruler. The
noblest families were obliged t9 leave Lesbos, and fled to
Sicily, to Magna Gracia, or to Egypt. Alcaeus , 2 the greatest
poet of his time, and Charaxus, the brother of Sappho , 3 lie

1 The native nobles of Samos.

2 Alcaeus, a friend of Sappho, and a member of one of the noblest
lesbian families, ranks among the chief lyric writers of antiquity.

3 Sappho was a contemporary of Pittacus, Alcaeus, and Khodopia:
she was probably born at Mytilene, in Lesbos, about 620 b.c. She must
have belonged to a noble family, as she and her brother were exiled by

EHODOPIS.

7

writer of those odes, which it was Solon’s last wish to learn,
carae hither to Naueratis, which had long flourished as the
port whence Egypt carried on intercourse with the rest of
the world. "Charaxus saw Ehodopis, and soon loved her so
deeply that he paid an enormous sum to buy her from
Xanthus, who wished to return home. Sappho scoffed at
her brother and his bargain in sarcastic Hues, but Alcaeus
took Charaxus’ part and sang Ehodopis’ praise in glowing
verse. The brother of the poetess, who had been lost sight
of among the strangers in Naucratis, suddenly became
famous through Ehodopis. All strangers assembled in
his house for her sake, aud overwhelmed her with gifts.
King Hophra, 1 who had heard much of her beauty and in-
telligence, summoned her to Memphis, and wished to buy
her from Charaxus ; but he had long ago secretly given
her her freedom, and loved her far too much to wish to
part from her. Ehodopis also loved the handsome Lesbian,
and preferred to remain with him in spite of the splendid
offers which were made her on all sides. At last Charaxus
made the wonderf ul woma n his lawful wife, and lived with
her, and her little <5auglrf5tCClgis^ in Naucratis, till Pittacus
recalled the exiles.

“ Then he and his wife went to Lesbos. He fell ill on
the journey, and died soon after his arrival in Mitylene.
Sappho, who had laughed at her brother because of his
marriage with an inferior, soon became an enthusiastic ad-
mirer of the beautiful widow, and she vied with Alcaeus in
singing her praises in poems full of deep feeling.

, “ After the death of the poetess, Ehodopis returned to
Haucratis with her little daughter, and was received there
like a fl jvinitv.

*< ^maBi&\ the present king of Egypt, had meanwhile pos-
sessed : timself of the throne of the Pharaohs, which he
kept with the help of the soldiers to whose caste he be-
longed. As his predecessor, Hophra, had hastened his own
downfall by means of his preference for the Greeks, and
his intercourse with strangers, who were hated by all Egyp-
tians, and had caused the people, especially the priests and

Pittaeufl. Moat of the stories told about her may be dismissed as
fictions.

1 iluphra reigned 588-569 b.c.

8

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

soldiers to revolt openly, everyone felt certain that Amasis
would close the land against all strangers as had formerly
been the case, that he would dismiss the Greek^ mercenaries
and listen to the commands of -the priests instead of to the
advice of the Greeks. Well, yon see yourself, that the
wise Egyptians made a mistake in their choice of a king,
and fell from Scylla into Charybdis. If Hophra was a
friend of the Greeks, Amasis can be called our lover. The
Egyptians, and above all the priests and soldiers, are
furious, and would like to massacre every one of us, as
Odysseus massacred the suitors who wasted his property.
The king does not care much about the soldiers, because
•he knows the relative merits of the Greeks and Egyptians ;
but he is obliged to bestow a certain amount of consideration
on the priests, for on the one hand, they have unlimited
influence on the people, and on the other hand, the king
clings, more than he cares to acknowledge, to the absurd
religion, which has existed unchanged in this strange land
for thousands of years, and is, therefore, doubly dear to
those who profess it. These priests render Amasis’ life a
burden, persecuting and injuring us in every possible way ;
indeed, I should have been dead long ago, if the king had
not extended his protection to me. But I am digressing.
Bhodopis was, as I said, received at Haucratis with open
arms, and overwhelmed with favours by Amasis, who be-
came acquainted with her. Her daughter Cleis, who, like
Sappho now, was never allowed to take part in the assem-
blies held every evening at Bhodopis’ house, and was
brought up almos t more strictly than the other maidens of
Naucratis, married'. 4xlauCcrg> a rich Phoenician merchant of
noble birth, who had bravely defended his native town
against the Persians. She followed him to the newly-
founded town, Massilia, 1 on the Celtic coast. The young
people fell victims to the climate of that country after the
birth of a daughter, Sappho. Bhodopis undertook the
long journey to the west herself, fetched the young orphan,
took her to live with her, brought her up most carefully,
and now that she is grown up, refuses to allow her any

1 Marseilles, founded about 600 b.c. by Phocseans. Phoenician fac-
tories may have existed on the site of the town at an earlier date.

KIIOBOPIS.

9

intercourse with men, for she feels the shame of her youth
so acutely that she keeps her grandchild more secluded
from all contact with our sex than is customary in Egypt.
With Sappho this is no difficult task, whilst social inter-
course is as necessary to Bhodopis as water to a fish, air
to a bird. All strangers visit her, and whoever has once
tasted her hospitality will never be absent, if his time per-
mits, when the flag announces a reception. Every Greek
of any importance frequents this house, for here consulta-
tions are held as to how the hatred of the priests is to be
met, and how we shall persuade the king to do this or that.
Here you will learn the latest news from home and the rest
of the world, here the fugitive finds an unassailable refuge,
for the king has given his friend the right of asylum against
the police. Here you will hear the language and songs of
home, here we consult as to how Hellas is to be freed from
growing tyranny . 1 * This house is, in a word, the centre of
all Greek interest in Egypt, and it possesses greater poli-
tical importance than even t he Hellenion . 3 4 In a few minutes
you will see this wonderful grandmother, and perhaps, if
we remain alone, the grandchild. You will understand
that these people owe everything, not to luck, but to their
own merit. Ah ! there they are. How they approach the
house. Do you hear the songs of the women slaves ? How
they enter. Let them sit down first, then follow me, and
when we leave, I will ask you if you regret having come
with me, and whether Bhodopis is not more like a queen
than a freed slave.”

Rhodopis’ house was built in Grecian style. Accord-
ing to our ideas the exterior of the long one-storied house
would be called simple, while in the interior, the arrange-
ments combined Hellenic beauty of style with splendid
Egyptian colouring. Through the wide portal one could
see into the hall, on the left of which was a large
banqueting-room, which looked on the river. On the
opposite side was the kitchen, a room which was only to
be found in the houses of the rich Greeks, while the poor

1 A short time before our story commences, several ambitious Greeks,

such as Pisistrutus of Athens and Polycrates of Samos, had succeeded

in overthrowing the nobles and seizing the government,

4 A kind of llanseatie league.

10

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

prepared their meals at the hearth in the ante-room. The
reception-room was at the entrance of the hall : it was a
square, surrounded by a peristyle, on which several rooms
opened. In the midst of the hall, which was the apartment
of the men, on an altar-like hearth of rich iEginetan metal-
work, burnt the fire of the house.

In the daytime this room was lighted by means of a
large opening in the roof, through which at the same time
the smoke of the fire escaped. A passage on the other side
of the entrance-hall, closed by a strong door, led into the
large women’s apartment, which was surrounded by pillars
on three sides, and in which the women of the house were
accustomed to be when they were not sitting at spindle or
loom in the room by the garden or back door, as it was
called. Between these rooms and the apartments on the
right and left of the women’s apartment, which served as
domestic offices, were the bedrooms, in which the treasures
of the house were also kept. The walls of the men’s apart-
ment were painted a reddish-brown, against which the
white marble statues, the gift of an artist of Chios, stood
out in bold relief. The floor was ornamented with mosaics
of beautiful workmanship and colour. Along the pillars
were ranged low couches covered with leopard skins ; while
near the artistic hearth, stood curiously-formed Egyptian
armchairs, and small, delicately-carved tables of thya wood, 1
on which lay various musical instruments, such as flutes,
cithara, and phorminx. Numerous lamps of different shapes,
filled with kiki oil, hung on the 'walls : one represented a
dolphin, who breathed forth fire ; another a strange winged
monster, from whose jaws streamed flames. The light
that they gave mingled pleasantly with the fire of the
hearth.

Several men stood in the hall, who differed both in their
general appearance and in their dress. A Phoenician from
Tyre, in a long, plum-coloured garment, was holding an
animated conversation with a man whose sharply-cut fea-
tures and curly black hair betrayed his Hebrew origin. He
had come from his home to Egypt in order to buy Egyptian

1 A valuable wood from the oasis of Jupiter Ammon, in the Libyan
desert.

RHODOPIS.

11

horses and chariots — the most renowned in those $ays 1 * — -
for the king of J udali, Zeruhbabel. Three Greeks fV^B&Asia
Minor who stood beside him clad in the costly
of their Milesian home, were engaged in serious con-
versation with Phryxus, the simply-dressed ambassador
of the town of Delphi, who was visiting Egypt in order to
collect money for the temple of Apollo. Ten years ago the
ancient Pythian sanctuary had become a prey to the flames,
and a new and more beautiful building was to be erected
in its stead.

Two of the Milesians, pupils of Anaximander and Anaxi-
menes , 3 had come to the Nile to study astronomy and
Egyptian lore in Heliopolis. The third was a rich merchant
and shipowner, Theopoinpus by name, wbo bad taken up bis
residence at Naucratis. fehodopis herself was talking with
much interest to two Greeks from Samos, the celebrated
architect, worker in metal, sculptor, and goldsmith, Theo-
dorus, and the writer of iambic verse, Ibycus of Pbegium , 3
wbo bad left the court of Poly crates for a few weeks in
order to become acquainted with Egypt, and to bring the
king presents from their master. Close to the hearth, a
stout man with well-marked, sensual features, Philoinus,
from Sybaris , 4 lay at full length on the coloured fur cover
of a double chair, and played with bis scented locks, in
which gold was twined, and with the gold chains which
fell from his neck on to the saffron robe that reached to
his feet.

Khodopis had a pleasant word for everyone ; but at the
present moment she was giving her whole attention to the
celebrated Samians. She was speaking to them of art and
poetry. The eyes of the Thracian woman glowed with the
fire of youth, her tall figure was full and upright, her well-
shaped head was still surrounded by ample waves of grey

1 Solomon bought horses and chariots in Egypt 1000 b.c. (2 Chron.
i. 16-17).

a Anaximander of Miletus, 611-546, a celebrated geometrician, as-
tronomer, philosopher, and geographer. He drew the first map on
bronze, ana introduced a kind of clock into Greece. Anaximenes, 570-
500, was also a natural philosopher of Miletus.

a Lived in the middle of the sixth century, B.C. Schiller’s ballad,
i( The Cranes of Ibycus,” has made the story of his murder well known.

4 A town in southern Italy famous for its luxury.

12

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

hair, which was gathered at the hack into a net of deli-
cately-woven gold; a glittering diadem. adorned her lofty
brow. Her noble Greek face was pale, but beautiful and
unfurrowed, in spite of her advanced age/ Her small
mouth, still well shaped, her large, thoughtful, gentle eyes,
her noble brow and nose would have adorned a maiden.

Rhodopis looked much younger than she really was, and
yet she did not conceal her age. Matronly dignity was
visible in her every movement, and her grace was not the
grace of youth which seeks to please, but the grace of age
which desires to be amiable, which gives and expects con-
sideration.

Our friends now entered the hall ; all turned towards
them, and when Phanes appeared, leading his friend by
the hand, he received a very hearty welcome, while one of
the Milesians exclaimed : “ I did not know what was
wanting. Now it has suddenly dawned upon me ; there
can be no pleasure without Phanes.”

Philoinus, the Sybarite, exclaimed, in a deep voice, with-
out altering his position, “Joy is a pleasant thing,
and if you bring it with you 1, too, bid you welcome,
Athenian.”

“ I welcome you heartily,” cried Ehodopis, advancing
towards her new guests, “ if you are in good spirits, and
not less heartily if trouble oppresses you. I know no
greater pleasure than to smooth the forehead of a friend.
You too, Spartan, I call my friend, for thus I call all who
are dear to my friends.”

Aristomachus bowed silently; but the Athenian ex-
claimed, while he turned partly to the Sybarite, partly to
Rhodopis : “ Well, then, my dear friends, I shall be able
to content you both. Yon, Rhodopis, shall have a chance
of comforting me, yonr friend, for I must soon leave you
and your house; but yon, Sybarite, shall rejoice in my
gladness, for at last I shall see my beloved Hellas again,
and can leave, though with reluctance, this golden mouse-
trap of a country.”

“You are going away? You have been dismissed?
Where do yon intend to go ? ” was asked on all sides.

“ Patience, patience, friends,” cried Phanes ; “ I must
tell you a long story, which I will reserve for the banquet.

RHODOPIS.

1*3

Besides, dear friend, my hunger is almost as great as my
grief at leaving you.”

“ Hunger is a fine thing,” said the Sybarite, philosophi-
cally, “ if you are able to look forward to a good meal.”

“You may set your mind at rest, Philoinus,” answered
Khodopis. “ I ordered the cook to do his best, and told
him that the most exacting man of the richest town
in the whole world, a Sybarite, Philoinus, would criticize
his dainty dishes severely. Go, Cnacias, and bid them
serve the meal. Are you content now, you discontented
people? Wicked Phanes, you have spoilt my appetite
with your bad news.”

The Athenian bowed, the Sybarite continued his philo-
sophical remarks. “ Content is a fine thing when you have
the means with which to satisfy your wishes. I must
thank you, Ehodopis, for the homage which you pay to my
unrivalled home. What says Anacreon ? 1

To-day is what affects me,

Who can to-morrow know ?

So quaff your wine, while yet ’tis fine,

And shake the dice and throw.

And unto cheerful Bacchus your full libations pour,

Ere some disease your body seize,

And bids you drink no more . 2

“ Well, Ibycus, have I correctly quoted your friend, who
feasts with you at the table of Poly crates? I can assure
you, that though Anacreon may make better verses than I
do, my humble self does not understand life less well than
the great artist of life. In all his, songs there is nothing
said in praise of food, and eating is more important than
gambling and love, although these two occupations— I
mean gambling and love — are very dear to me. I must die
without food, but I can live, though miserably enough,
without gambling and love ”

The Sybarite, pleased with his shallow joke, burst out
laughing. While the others continued talking in the same
strain, the Spartan turned to the Delphian, Phryxus, drew

1 Anacreon of Teos was living at Poly crates’ court at the time of our
story.

3 Anacr. fragm. ed. Mo&bius, xv. Translated by J. Barwick Hodge,

"Esq.

14

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

him into a corner, and forgetting his usual composure,
asked him, in great excitement, whether he brought the
answer from the oracle, which he had so long yearned for.
The grave face of the Delphian brightened*; he put his
hand into the breast folds of his chiton , 1 and drew out a
little scroll of sheep skin, like parchment, and on which
several lines were inscribed.

The hands of the brave, strong Spartan trembled as he
seized the little scroll, opened it, and eagerly scanned the
writing which covered it. He stood thus for a short time,
then he shook his grey head discontentedly, gave the scroll
back to Phryxus, and said, “ We Spartans learn other arts
than those of reading and writing. Head, if you can, what
Pythia says.”

The Delphian glanced at the lines, and answered, “ Re-
joice, Loxias 2 promises you a happy return home. Hear
what the priestess says : —

When from the snow-clad heights descend the men in their armour

Down to the shores of the winding stream which waters the valley,

Then the delaying boat shall conduct you unto the meadows,

Where the peace of home is to the wanderer given.

When from the snow-clad heights descend the men in their armour,

Then what the judging five have long refused shall be granted.”

The Spartan listened eagerly to the words. He asked
Phryxus to read them once more, then he repeated them by
heart, thanked Phryxus, and put away the little scroll. The
Delphian joined in the general conversation ; the Spartan
murmured to himself the words of the oracle so that he
might not forget them, and tried to fathom the meaning of
the mysterious words.

1 A loose under-garment.

oracle^ me ^°^ 0 ’ £ lven kim because of his vague, mysterious

CHAPTEE XL

THE OLYMPIC GAMES.

T HE folding doors of tlie dining-room opened. On
either side of the entrance stood a beautiful, fair-
haired boy, with myrtle wreaths in his hand ; in the middle
of the hafl. stood a long, low, highly-polished table, on each
side of which were placed purple couches, which invited
the guests to comfortable repose.

Splendid flowers -^decorated the table. Great joints,
glasses and dishes full of dates, figs, pomegranates, melons,
and grapes, stood beside small beehives full of honey ; deli-
cate cheese from the island Trinacria lay on embossed
copper plates, and in the centre of the table stood a silver
ornament like an altar, round which wreaths of myrtle and
roses were twined, and from the top of which issued fra-
grant fumes.

At the further end of the table shone the silver bowl in
which the wine was mixed: it was a splendid piece of
iEginetan work ; the bent handles represented two giants,
who seemed to give way under the weight of the vessel
they carried. This bowl was wreathed with flowers, like
the altar in the middle of the table, and a rose or myrtle
wreath was wound round each goblet.

Eose-leaves were scattered about the whole room, and
many lamps hung against the smooth walls of white
stucco. .

The guests had scarcely seated themselves on the couches,
when the fair-haired boys appeared again, wound garlands
of myrtle and ivy round their brows and shoulders, and
washed their feet in silver basins. The carver had already
taken the first joints from the table in order to carve them,
but the Sybarite was still occupied with the boys, and
though he smelt of all the perfumes of Arabia, he let them

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

fairly smotlier him in roses and myrtles ; when the first
dish — tunny fish with mustard sauce— was brought in, he
forgot all secondary considerations, and occupied himself
solely with the enjoyment of the excellent fare. Rhodopis
sat in an arm-chair at the head of the table by the great
bowl, led the conversation, and superintended the attendant
slaves.

She surveyed her joyous guests with a certain feeling of
pride, and seemed to occupy herself exclusively with each.
Now she inquired of the Delphian the result of his collec-
tion ; then she asked the Sybarite whether the work of her
cook pleased him. Again she listened to Ibycus, who told
how Phryniclius of Athens' had substituted plays founded
on subjects taken from life for the religious plays of
Thespis of Icaria, and had had whole scenes from former
history acted with choruses and dialogues.

Then she turned to the Spartan, and said that he was
the only one to whom she must apologize, not for the simple
fare, but for its luxury. If he would come again soon her
slave Cnaeias, an escaped Helot who boasted that he
could cook a splendid blood soup (at these words the
Sybarite shuddered), should prepare a real Lacedaemonian
meal for him.

When the guests had appeased their hunger they again
washed their hands. Then the table was cleared, the floor
swept, and wine and water were poured into the bowl . 1
At last Rhodopis, after she had assured herself that
everything was going on satisfactorily, turned to Phones,
who was disputing with the Milesians, and said : “ Noble
friend, we have controlled our impatience so long that I
think it is your duty to tell us what unfortunate incident
threatens to tear you from Egypt and from our midst. You
may leave us and this country with the light heart that
the gods are wont to bestow on you Ionians at birth as a
precious gift, but we shall long think of you with Sorrow,
for I know no greater loss than that of a friend whom you
have found faithful for years. Some of us have lived so
long on the Nile that we have adopted, to a certain degree,
the unchanging, constant temper of the Egyptians. You

1 After the actual meal came the symposium. The guests adorned
themselves with wreaths, washed their hands, and attacked the wine.

THE OLYMPIC GAMES.

17

smile ; and yet I think that though you have long wished
to return to Greece, you will not part from us without
regret. You agree ? Well, tell us why you must leave
Egypt, or wish to leave it, so that we may consider whether
it is not possible to prevent your exile from court, and to
keep you with us.”

Phanes smiled bitterly, and said: “ I thank you, Bbodopis,
for your Hatter ing words and your good intention of griev-
ing for my departure, or of trying to prevent it. Hundreds
of now faces will soon make you forget mine, for though
you have lived on the Nile for a long while, you have re-
mained a Greek in every respect, and you can be thankful
to the gods that this is the case. I too am a friend of
constancy, but an enemy of Egyptian folly. Is there one
among you who thinks it wise to grieve at the inevitable P
Egyptian constancy is madness, and no virtue in my eyes.
These people who have preserved their dead for thousands
of years till now, and who would rather be deprived of their
last piece of bread than of one bone of their ancestors , 1 are
not constant, but foolish. Can it give me pleasure to see
those whom I love sad ? Certainly not. You are not to
think of me for months with daily lamentations, like the
Egyptians when they have lost a friend. If in the future
you really wish to think of your dead or absent friend — for
I may never enter Egypt again as long as I live — think of
him with smiles, and do not exclaim, “ Oh, why was Phanes
obliged to leave us ? ” hut say, “We wish to be as happy
as Phanes was while he still dwelt in our midst.” That is
how you should behave, that is what Simonides enjoined
when he sang : —

If we could but a little wiser be

Thou we should cease to mourn our friends so long,

And at their grave would grieve but for a day.

Long is the time that we have given for death,

But few the years of life, evil our plight.®

If we are not to mourn for the dead, it is still more

1 An Egyptian gave his last coin rather than allow the mummies of
his ancestors to fall to pieces, else he was considered disgraced, and
burial was refused him when he died. He was allowed to pawn the
mummies if he was in debt (Diodorus, i. 93).

3 Simonides fragm. ed. Bergk.

c

18

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

foolish to grieve over parting friends, for the former have
gone for ever, hut to the latter we say in partiug, “ We
shall meet again.”

The Sybarite who had long grown impatient, could con-
tain himself no longer, and cried with dismal voice, “ Begin
your story, I cannot drink a drop unless you leave off talk-
ing of death. I have grown quite cold, and I am ill every
time when I — well, when I hear people speak about our
ceasing to live !” The whole company laughed, but Phanes
began his story.

“You know that in Sais I live in the new palace. At
Memphis, in my capacity of captain of the G-reek body-
guard, which must accompany the king wherever he travels, I
had lodgings assigned to me in the left wing of the old palace.

“ Since the time of Psamtik I. the kings have taken up
their residence at Sais, and the interior of the remaining
palaces has, therefore, been somewhat neglected. My
apartments were admirably situated on the whole, and
splendidly fitted up; they would have been perfect if a
dreadful nuisance had not been apparent from the day of
my arrival.

“ In the daytime my rooms left nothing to be desired,
and besides I was seldom at home, but at night sleep was
impossible. Thousands of rats and mice made a terrible
noise under the rotten floor, and the beds, and behind the
old hangings on the walls. I did not know what to do,
until, at last, an Egyptian soldier sold me two beautiful
large cats which, after a few weeks, brought me some respite
from my tormentors.

“ You all know that one of the most amiable laws of this
strange people whose wisdom and culture you, my Milesian
friends, are never weary of praising, declares that cats are
sacred. Divine honours are paid to these happy quadrupeds
and to many other beasts, and if they are killed, the as-
sassin is punished with as much severity as though he had
slain a man.”

Bhodopis, who had smiled till now, became more serious
when she heard that his exile was connected with contempt
shown by him to these sacred animals. She knew how
many victims, how many human lives, this superstition
of the Egyptians had already cost. A short time ago, king

THE OLYMPIC GAMES.

19

Amasis had been unable to save a Samian, who had slain
a cat, from the vengeance of the angry people. 1

“ Everything was in order,” continued the captain,
** when we left Memphis two years ago.

“ I had left the two cats to the care of an Egyptian servant
iii the palace, and knew that the animals would keep my
rooms free from their enemies the rats. I even began to
feel a certain respect for my friendly preservers from the
invasion of mice.

“ Last year, Amasis fell ill before the Court could leave
for Memphis, so we remained at Sais. At last, about six
weeks ago, we started for the town of the pyramids. I
occupied my former apartments, and found not even the
shadow of a mouse’s tail, but instead of mice the place was
swarming with another race of animals, whom I liked as
little as their predecessors. The pair of cats had increased
twelve times in the two years of my absence. I tried to
banish the troublesome animals of every age and colour, but
X wa£ unsuccessful, and every night my sleep was disturbed
by dreadful choruses, the war cries and serenades of cats.

“ Every year, at the time of the Bubastis feast the Egyp-
tians are allowed to bring the superfluous mouse catchers
to the temple of the cat-lieaded goddess Pacht, where they
are cared for and made away with, I believe, when they in-
crease too rapidly. These priests are rogues.

“ Enfortamately, the great pilgrimage to the temple 3 1
have mentioned, did not take place during our residence at
the Pyramids, but I could not bear the persecuting host
any longer, and when two mother cats again presented me
with a "dozen healthy descendants, I determined that I
would at least get rid of these. My old slave Mus, 3 whose
very name shows that he is an enemy of cats, was ordered
to kill the little creatures, put them in a sack, and throw
them into the Nile.

1 The eat was the most sacred of the many sacred animals of the
Kgyptians. Herod, says (ii. 66} that if a house was on fire the first
thought of the Egyptians was to save the eat 5 if it died they shaved off
their hair as a sign of mourning. The bodies of eats were carefully em-
balmed ; every museum possesses specimens of cat mummies.

2 The goddess l J aeht (Seehet or Bast) had her temple in Bubastis on
the eastern Delta. She is represented with a cat’s head.

* The Greek name Mus signifies i( mouse.”

20

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

“ This murder was necessary, otherwise the mewing of
the yonng cats would have betrayed the contents of the
sack to the servants of the palace. As soon as it was dark
poor Mus went with his dangerous burden through the
Grove of Hathor , 1 to the Nile. But the Egyptian servant
who was accustomed to feed my animals and knew each cat
by name, had guessed our design.

“ My slave went on calmly through the great sphinx
alley, past the temple of Ptah ; 2 3 he held the little sack hidden
under his cloak. In the sacred grove he had already
noticed that he was followed, but he paid no attention and
went on, perfectly satisfied, when he saw that the people
who followed him, stopped at the temple of Ptah, and spoke
to the priests.

“ He had already reached the shores of the Nile when he
heard voices calling him, and many people running after
him, and a stone flew whizzing past his head.

“ Mus at once saw the full extent of the danger that
threatened him. He put forth all his strength, rushed to
the Nile, flung the sack into the water, and stood on the
shores of the river with heating heart, but, as he thought,
without any proof of his guilt. In a few minutes he was
surrounded by a hundred attendants of the temple. The
chief priest of Ptah, my old enemy Ptahotep, had not dis-
dained to follow the pursuers.

“ Several of them, among them the treacherous servant
of the palace, entered the Nile, and found, unfortunately
for us, the sack with its twelve bodies which hung safely in
the papyrus reeds and beans on the shore. Before the eyes
of the chief priest, a crowd of servants of the temple, and
at least a thousand inhabitants of Memphis who had hur-
ried up, the cotton coffin was opened. When its contents

1 The goddess of love, ancient goddess of the horizon, and mother of
Horus. She is one of the most important Egyptian deities. She is the

personification of fertility, and hence it is she who causes the Nile to
rise. She holds rope and tambourine in her hand in reference to the
binding qualities and pleasures of love ; for though dance, song and jest,
were under her patronage, she was worshipped principally as goddess
of love. The cow was dedicated to her, and she is often represented as a
woman with a coVs head, bearing the disc of the sun between her horns.

3 The temple of the great god Ptah was one of the most celebrated*
buildings in Egypt. King Menes is said to have begun it.

THE OLYMPIC GAMES.

21

were laid bare there arose a cry of lamentation, ven-
geance, and mourning, so terrible that I beard it in tbe
palace. Tbe furious mob rusbed on my old servant, threw
him on tbe ground, trampled on him and would have slain
him if tbe all-powerful chief priest bad not commanded that
tbe ill-treated criminal should be put in prison, for be sus-
pected that I was tbe originator of tbe crime and intended
that I, too, should be destroyed.

“ Half-an-bour later, I was arrested.

“ My old servant, Mus, took all tbe blame to himself,
till, by means of tbe bastinado, tbe chief priest extorted
from him tbe confession that I bad ordered him to kill tbe
cats, and that be, as a faithful servant, bad been obliged to
obey my commands.

“ The chief court, against whose decisions even tbe king
is powerless, is formed of priests from Memphis, Helio-
polis, and Thebes ; you can therefore imagine that poor
Mus and I were at once condemned to death. Tbe slave
was condemned because of two capital offences— tbe murder
of tbe sacred animals, and the twelvefold desecration of the
Nile by means of tbe bodies ; I, because I was tbe originator
of this twenty-fourfold capital crime, as they called it. Mus
was executed that same day. May tbe earth rest lightly
on him. In my memory be will live, not as my slave, but
as my benefactor. In tbe presence of bis corpse my death
sentence was read to me, and I was already preparing for
the long journey to tbe Nether World, when tbe king com-
manded that the execution of my sentence should be delayed.

“ I was led back to my prison. An Arcadian taxiarch, 1
who was among my guards, informed me that all the
Greek officers of tbe body-guard and a number of soldiers,
altogether more than 4,000 men, bad threatened to resign
if I, their leader, were not pardoned. <

** When it grew dark, I was led to tbe king. He him-
self confirmed tbe statement of tbe taxiarch, and expressed
bis sorrow that be must lose tbe services of a captain who
was so beloved. I must confess for my part, that I
am not angry with Amasis, indeed I pity him, powerful
king as be is. You should have beard him complain of bis

i Leader of a Taxis or captain of a company (Lysias, Apol. p. 162 ) ,

22

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

inability to act as lio wished ; even in his private affairs,
the influence of the priests annoys and compromises him
at every step. He said that if it depended on him alone,
he would gladly forgive me for breaking a law which I,
a stranger, could not understand, and which must there-
fore appear to me in a false light as a senseless super-
stition. But he dared not leave me unpunished, because
of the priests. Exile from Egypt was the lightest punish-
ment he could inflict on me. ‘ You do not know *

with these words he ended his lament — ‘what enormous
concessions I have had to make to the priests to obtain
mercy for you ; you know that our chief court is indepen-
dent even of me, the king.’

“ I was dismissed after I had solemnly sworn to leave
Memphis the same day, and Egypt in three weeks at the
latest.

T had my goods placed in a boat, and came hither
to Nancratis, where I was fortunate enough to meet my
old friend, Aristomachus of Sparta, who will probably be
appomted my successor, for he was formerly commander of
the troops of Cyprus . 1 I should be glad to see my place
taken by so excellent a man, were it not that I fear that
his merit will make my services appear even more insig-
nificant than they really were.” S

u H ere Aristomachus interrupted the Athenian, and cried ■

j.J£r S i h i° f + P v aiSe ’ fnend PWs - Spartan tongues are
awkwvard, but if you need my help, I will answer you with
deeds, that will hit the right nail on the head.” 7 ““

a*™ 1 i S S Tl ed a P? r 0 T “g 1 y a * the two men. Then she
gave her hand to each, and said: “Unfortunately, dear

1 Amasis had carried on a successful war against Cyprus.

THE OLYMPIC GAMVS.

23

Phanes, your story lias shown me that yon can no longer
remain in this land. I will not reproach yon for yonr folly,
but yon might have known that you were braving great
dangers for small results. A really prudent and coura-
geous man will undertake a bold deed only when the bene-
fit which might accrue to him is greater than the disad-
vantages. Baslmess is just as foolish, though not, perhaps,
as reprehensible as cowardice, for though both may injure
a man, the latter alone disgraces him. This time your care-
lessness nearly cost you your life, a life which is dear to
many, and which you ought to preserve for a better end
than to fall a victim to folly. We may not try to keep you
with us, for we could not help you, and should certainly
harm ourselves. This noble Spartan shall in future take
your place, and as captain of the Greeks represent our
nation at court, protect it from the encroachments of the
priests, and try to preserve the king’s favour for it. I hold
your hand, Aristomachus, and will not let it go, till you
promise to act as Phanes did before you, and to protect as far
as it is in your power, even the lowest Greek from the arro -
gance of the Egyptians ; to resign your post rather than
let the most trivial crime against a Greek escape punish-
ment. We are but a few thousands among as many
millions, all hostile to us, but we are great in courage, and
must strive to remain strong in unity. Till to-day, the
Greeks in Egypt have acted as brothers. One sacrificed
himself for all, all for one, and it was this very unity that
made ns powerful, that will keep us strong in the future.
Would that we could give the same unity to onr native
land and its colonies ; would that all the races of our home,
forgetful of their Dorian, Ionic, or iEolian descent, would
content themselves with the name of Greeks, and live
together like children of one house, like the sheep of one
the whole world would not be able to resist
would be recognized by all nations as their

Bhodopis* eyes flashed as she spoke ; the Spartan pressed
her hand, impetuously stamped on the floor with his wooden
leg, and cried: “By Zeus, no one shafl touch a Greek
while I can prevent it. But you, Bhodopis, you ought to
have been a Spartan.”

24

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS,

“ An Athenian,” cried Phanes.

“ An Ionian,” said the Milesian.

“ A daughter of a Samian geomore,” cried the sculptor.

“But I am more than all this,” cried Rhodopis, with
enthusiasm, “ I am a Greek I ”

All were carried away by her words. Even the Syrian
and the Hebrew could not resist the general oni lmsiasm.
The Sybarite alone remained unmoved, and said, with his
mouth full :

“ You also deserve to be a Sybarite, for your beef is the
best that I have tasted since I left Italy, and your wine of
Antkylla tastes just as good as that of Vesuvius and
Chios.”

All laughed, but the Spartan looked contemptuously at
the Sybarite.

“Hail! friends,” suddenly cried a deep voice through
the open window.

■“ Welcome,” answered the chorus of guests, while they
wondered who the late arrival was.

They had not long to wait for the stranger ; before the
Sybarite had found time carefully to taste’ another sip of
wine, a tall thin man, of about sixty, with a long, w'<, ‘11-
shaped, intelligent head, stood beside Rhodopis. It was
Callias, son of Phsenippus of Athens. 1

The late visitor was one of the wealthiest exiles of Athens,
who had twice bought the property of Pisistratus from the
state, and twice lost it when the despot returned; he
looked at his friends with bright, keen eyes, and cried,
after he had exchanged friendly greetings with -all,

“ If you are not very grateful for my presence to-day, I
shall declare that all gratitude has vanished from the world,”

“ We have long expected you,” interrupted one of the
Milesians. “ You are the first to bring us news of the
result of the Olympic games.”

“And we could not wish for a better messenger than
the former victor,” added Rhodopis.

“ Sit down,” cried Phanes, full of impatience ; “ tell us
briefly and concisely what you know, friend Callias.”

1 A distinguished Athenian who lived at the time of our story. Ac-
cording to Iierod. vi. 122, he was victorious in the horse race and
chariot race.

THE OLYMPIC GAMES.

25

“ Directly, countrymen ” answered Callias, “ it is some
time since I left Olympia, and embarked at Cenchrese on
a Samian fifty-oared skip, the best vessel that was ever
built. I am not surprised that no G-reek has .reached
Naucratis before me, for we encountered frightful storms,
and would scarcely have escaped with our lives, if these
Samian boats with, their fat stomachs, thin beaks, and
fish-tails, were not so splendidly built and manned. Who
knows whither the other homeward-bound travellers may
have been driven; we were able to take refuge in the
harbour of Samos, and to depart again after sixteen days.

“ When we entered the Nile early this morning, I at
once took boat and was speeded on my way by Boreas,
who wished to show that he still loved his old Callias.
so that a few minutes ago, I saw the most hospitable of
houses ; I saw the flag fly, I saw the open windows illumi-
nated, and hesitated as to whether or no I should enter •
but I could not resist your charms, Bhodopis, and besides
I should have been suffocated by all the untold news, which
I bear with me, if I had not landed, in order to enjoy a
slice of meat and a glass of wine, while I tell events of
which you do not dream.”

Callias sank down comfortably on a couch, and before
he began his meal, handed Bhodopis a splendid golden
bracelet in the shape of a serpent, which he had bought at
a high price, in the workshop of that very Theodorus who
sat at table with him.

“ That is for you,” he said, turning to his delighted
hostess. “But I have something still better for you,
friend Phanes. Guess who won the prize in the race with
the quadriga P ”

“ An Athenian ? ” asked Phanes, with glowing cheeks,
for was not every Olympic victory a triumph for the whole
community to which the victor belonged, and was not the
Olympic olive branch the highest honour and greatest
happiness which could fall to the lot of a G-reek, or even
to a whole Greek race ? ”

“Well guessed, Phanes,” cried the messenger of joy.
“ An Athenian has won the first prizeofall, and what is
more, it is your cousin ^imo^ son of (Cypselo ^ and brother
of that Miltiades, who, nmeT)lympiads ago, gained the same

26

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

honour for us ; this year he was victorious for the second
time with the very horses which obtained him the prize at
the last festival. Truly the Philaedae 1 obscure more and
more the fame of the Alcmseonidse. Does the fame of
your family make you proud and happy, friend Phanes P ”

Phanes had risen in great joy; he seemed suddenly to
nave increased in stature.

Pull of intense pride, he gave his hand to the messen-
ger of victory, who embraced his countryman, and con-
tinued : —

“We may indeed feel proud and happy, Phanes, and
you may rejoice above all; for after the judges had
unanimously awarded the prize to Cimon, he bade the
heralds proclaim the despot Pisistratus as the owner of the
splendid horses, and therefore as victor Pisistratus at once
announced that your family might now return to Athens,
and so the long-wished-f or hour of return has come to you
at last.”

At these words the glow of pleasure faded from the face
of the officer, and the conscious pride of his glances changed
to anger, as he cried :

“I am to rejoice, foolish Callias! I could rather weep
when I think that a descendant of Ajax is capable of igno-
miniously laying his well-merited fame at the feet of a
tyrant. I am to return ? I swear by Athene, by Father
Zeus, and Apollo, that I will rather starve in exile, than
turn my steps towards home while Pisistratus tyrannizes
over my native land. I am free as the eagle in the clouds,
now that I have left the service of Amasis, but I would
rather be the hungry slave of a peasant, in a strange
land, than at home, the first servant of Pisistratus. The
power in Athens belongs to us, the nobles, but Cimon,
when he laid his wreath at the feet of Pisistratus, kissed
the sceptre of the tyrant, and stamped himself with the
seal of slavery. I will tell Cimon that to me, to Phanes,
the favour of the despot is of little consequence. I will
remain an exile till my country is free, and nobles and
people again govern themselves and dictate their own laws.

1 The most distinguished family of nobles in Athens beside the
Alcmaeonidse. They boasted of descent from Ajax. , The Miltiadse and
Cimon belonged to this family.

THE OLYMPIC GAMES.

27

Phanes will not do homage to the oppressor, though a
thousand Oimons, though each of the Alcmieouidaj, though
the wlxole of your race, Callias, the wealthy Baduchis, 1
throw tdiomselves at Pisisi rat, us’ feet.”

He surveyed the assembly with flaming eyes, and old
Cal lias, too, looked at the guests with pride. It was as if
ho wislied to sav to each one : “ See, my friends, such are
the men my glorious home produces.”

Then he again took Phanes' hand, and said:

14 My friend, the oppressor is as hateful to me as to you ;
lmt 1 cannot close my eyes to the fact that as long as
Q^isTstr^MuTs^j ves, tyranny cannot be destroyed. His allies,
^Lygadn.iuus of Naxos, and Poly crates of Samos, are
powerTrtl, but the wisdom ana moderation of Pisistratus
arc more dangerous for our freedom. I saw with terror,
during^ my late stay in Hellas, that the people of Athens
love tlie oppressor like a father. In spite of his power, he
leaves the spirit of Solon’s constitution unaltered. He
adorns the town with most, beautiful works of art
The new temple of Zeus, which is being built of marble,
by OallmseLirus, Antistates, and Porinus, whom you know,
Theodoras, is to surpass all buildings which the G-reeks
have ever erected. He knows how to attract artists and
poets of every description to Athens; he has Homer’s
songs written down, and the sayings of Musseus of
Onoinucritus are collected Ly his orders. He is having
new streets built, aud introduces new festivals ; trade
flourishes under his rule, and in spite of the heavy taxes
imposed on the people, their prosperity seems not to
diminish but to increase. But what is the people? A
comm. on herd that flics, like a moth, towards every thing
that flitters ; though it scorches its wings, it still flutters
round the candle while it burns. Let Pisistratus’ torch be
extinguished, Phanes, and I sw f ear to you, the changeable
crowd will greet the new light, the returning nobles, as
eagerly as it greeted the tyrant but a short time ago.
G-ivo me your hand again, true son of Ajax ; but my
friends, I have still much to tell you. Cimon, as I said,
won t*kxe chariot race, and gave his olive branch to Pisistratus*

1 Ottilias was culled a Daduchus because the right of carrying torches
ufc the Kieusian mysteries was hereditary in his family.

28

AIT EGYPTIAN PftlNCESS.

I never saw four more splendid horses. Arcesilaus of
Gyrene, Cleostlienes of Epidamnus, Aster of Sybaris,
Hecataeus of Miletus, and many others, sent beautiful
horses to Olympia. Altogether the games were unusually
brilliant this year. AH Greece sent representatives, Khoda,
the Ardeate town in distant Iberia, 1 wealthy Tartessus,
Sinope, in the far east, on the shores of the Pontus, in
short, every race which boasts of Greek origin was well
represented. The Sybarites sent messengers to the fes-
tival, whose appearance was simply dazzling, the Spartans
simple men, with the beauty of Achilles and the stature of
Hercules ; the Athenians distinguished themselves by
supple limbs and graceful movements ; the Crotonians were
led by Milo, the strongest man of human origin; the
Samians and Milesians vied with the Corinthians and
Mitylenians in splendour and magnificence. The flower
of the youth of Greece was assembled there, and many
beautiful maidens, chiefly from Sparta, sat beside men
of every rank and nation ; they had come to Olympia
to encourage the men by their applause. The market
was on the other side of the Alphseus, and there you could
see merchants from all parts of the world. Greeks, Carche-
donians, Lydians, Phrygians, and bargaining Phoenicians
from Palestine, concluded important affairs, and exposed
their wares in tents and booths. Why should I describe
to you the surging crowds, the resounding choruses, the
smoking hecatombs, the gay dresses, the valuable chariots
and horses, the confusion of many tongues, the joyous cries
of old friends who meet again after years of separation,
the splendour of the ambassadors sent to the festival, the
swarms of spectators and merchants, the excitement as to
the result of the games, the splendid spectacle presented
by the crowded audience, the endless delight whenever a
victory was decided, the solemn presentation of the branch
which a boy of Elis, both of whose parents must still be
living, cut with a golden knife from the sacred olive tree, in
the Altis, 2 which Hercules himself planted many centuries
ago ? "Why should I describe the never-ending shouts of

1 Iberia, the ancient name for Spain.

2 The sacred grove of plantains and olives between the brook Cladeus
and the r»ver Alphacius.

THU OLYMPIC GAMES.

29

joy which tliumlered through the Stadium 1 when Milo of
Crotona appeared and bore the bronze statue of himself by
Dam eas through the Stadium to the Altis without stumbling?
A giant would hare been bowed to the ground by the
weight of metal, but Milo carried it as a Lacedaemonian
nurse carries a little boy. The finest wreaths after Cimon’s
were won by two Spartan brothers, Ly sander and Maro,
sons of a banished noble, Ariatomachus. Maro was victor
in the running match. Lysander, to the delight of all
present, challenged Milo, the irresistible victor of Pisa, and
the Pythian and Isthmian games, to a wrestling match.
Milo was taller and stronger than the Spartan, whose figure
resembled Apollo’s, and whose great youth proved that he
had scarcely outgrown the Paedanomos . 2

“ The youth and the man stood opposite each other in
their nude beauty, glistening with golden oil, like a panther
and a lion preparing for combat. Young Lysander raised
his hands before the first attack, adjured the gods, and
cried, f Por uiy father, my honour, and Sparta’s fame ! *
The Crotonian gave the youth a condescending smile, like
that of a dainty eater before he begins to open the shell
of a langusta.

u Now the wrestling began. For a long while neither could
take hold of the other. The Crotonian tried with his power-
ful, almost irresistible, arms to seize his adversary, who
eluded the terrible grasp of the athlete’s claw-like hands-
The struggle for the embrace lasted long, and the immense
audience looked on, silent and breathless. Hot a sound
was heard, save the panting of the combatants, and th«
singing of the birds in the Altis. At last— at last,
with the most beautiful movement I ever saw, the youth
was able to clasp his adversary. For a long while Milo
exerted himself in vain to free himself from the firm hold
of the youth. The perspiration caused by the terrible
contest amply watered the sand of the Stadium,

“The excitement of the spectators increased more and
more, the silence became deeper and deeper, the encouraging
cries grew rarer, the groans of the two combatants waxed

1 The scene of the competition.

3 Superintendent of educational matters in Sparta. Xenoph. Respubl.
Lacedaemon.

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

§0

more and more audible. At last the youth’s strength gave
way. An encouraging cry from thousands of throats
cheered him on ; he collected his strength with a super-
human effort, and tried to throw himself again on his
adversary, but the Crotonian had noticed his momentary
exhaustion, and pressed the youth in an irresistible embrace.
A stream of black blood gushed from the beautiful lips of
the youth, who sank lifeless to the earth from the wearied
arms of the giant. Democedes , 1 the most celebrated phy-
sician of our days, you Samians must have seen him at
Polycrates’ court, hurried up, but no art could help the
happy youth, for he was dead.

“ Milo was obliged to resign the wreath , 2 and the fame of
the youth will resound through all Greece. Truly, I would
rather be dead like Lysander, son of Aristomachus, than
live like Callias, to know an inactive old age in a strange
land. Ail Greece, represented by its best men, accompanied
the body of the beautiful youth to the funeral pyre, and
his statue is to be placed in the Altis, beside those of Milo
of Croton, and Praxidamas of iEgina.

“ Finally, the heralds proclaimed the award of the judges.

* Sparta shall receive a victor’s wreath for the dead man,
for it was not Milo but death who conquered noble Lysan-
der, and he who goes forth unconquered after a two hours’
struggle with the strongest of the Greeks, is well deserving
of the olive branch.’ ”

Callias was silent for a minute. In the excitement of
describing these events, more precious than aught else to
the Greek heart, he had paid no attention to those present,
but had stared straight before him while the images of
the combatants passed before his mind’s eye. Now he
looked round, and saw to his surprise, that the grey -haired
man with the wooden leg, who had already attracted his
attention, although he did not know him, had hidden his
face in his hands, and was shedding scalding tears.

Bhodopis stood on his right, Phanes on his left, and

1 A celebrated physician, a native of Croton, in Lower Italy. He
was private physician to Polycrates. He was forcibly carried off to the
Persian court, where he practised with skill, and whence he finally escaped.

2 The victor’s reward could not be claimed by the man whose o| po-
nent died.

THE OLYMPIC G A.3XES. 31

everyone looted at tlie Spartan as though he were the
hero of the story.

The quick Athenian saw at once that the old man was
closely related to one of the Olympic victors ; hut when he
heard that Aristomaelius was the father of those two glo-
rious Spartan brothers, whose beautiful forms still haunted
him like visions from the world of the gods, he looted
with envious admiration on the sobbing old man, and his
clear eyes filled with tears, which he did not try to keep
back, *tn those days men wept whenever they hoped that
the solace of tears would relieve them. In anger, in great
joy, in every affliction, we find strong heroes weeping,
while, on the other hand, the Spartan boy would let himself
be severely scourged, even to death, at the altar of Artemis
Orthia, in order to gain the praise of the men.

Por a time all the guests remained silent and respected
the old man’s emotion. At length Jeshua, the Israelite, who
had abstained from all food which was prepared in G-reek
fashion, broke the silence and said in broken Greek : —

“ Weep your fill, Spartan. I know what it is to lose a
son. Was I not forced, eleven years ago, to lay a beautifnl
boy in the grave in a strange land, by the waters of
Babylon where my people pined in captivity? If my
beautifnl child had lived hut one year longer, he would
have died at home, and we could have laid him in the
grave of his fathers. But Cyrus the Persian, may Jehovah
bless his descendants, freed us a year too late and I must
grieve doubly for my beloved child, because his grave is
dug in the land of Israel’s foes. Is anything more terrible
than to see our children, our best treasures, sink in the
grave before us ? Adouai have mercy on me ; to lose such
an excellent child as your son, just when he had become a
famous man, must be the greatest of griefs.”

The Spartan removed his hands from his stern face and
said, smiling amidst his tears : “ Ton are mistaken, Phoeni-
nician, I weep with joy and I wonld gladly have lost my
second son, had he died like Lysander.

The Israelite, horrified at this statement which seemed
wicked and unnatural to him, contented himself with
shaking his head in disapproval ; the Greeks over-
whelmed the old man, whom they all envied, with con-

82

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

gratulations. Intense joy seemed to have made Aristo
machus many yeai*s younger, and lie said to Rhodopis :
“ Truly, friend, your house is a blessed one for me ; this is
the second gift I have received from the gods since I
entered it.”

“ And what was the first ? ” asked the matron.

“ A favourable oracle.”

“ You forget the third gift,” cried Phanes. “ The gods
permitted you to become acquainted with Bhodopis to-
day. But what about the oracle ? ”

“ May I tell our friends ? ” asked the Delphian.

Aristomachus nodded consent, and Phryxus again read
the answer of the oracle : —

Wlien from the snow-clad heights descend the men in their armour,

Down to the shores of the winding stream, which waters the valley,

Then the delaying boat shall conduct you unto the meadows

Where the peace of home is to the wanderer given.

When from the snow-clad heights descend the men in their armour,

Then what the judging five have long refused shall be granted.

Scarcely had Phryxus read the last word, when Callias,
the Athenian, rose gracefully from his seat and cried ;

The fourth gift, the fourth gift of the gods, you shall
also receive from me in this house. Know, then, that I kept
my strangest tidings till last. The Persians are coming to
Egypt.”

All the guests sprang from their seats except the
Sybarite and Callias could scarcely answer all their
questions.

“ Patience, patience, friends,” he cried at last, “ let me
tell everything in order, else I shall never finish. It is not
an army as you think, Phanes, but an embassy from
Cambyses, the present king of powerful Persia, which
is on its way hither. I heard at Samos that they have
already reached Miletus. They will arrive here in a
few days. Relations of the king, and even old Croesus of
Lydia are with them. We shall see rare splendour. No
one knows the reason of their coming, hut it is thought
that King Cambyses will propose an alliance to Amasis ;
it is e ven sai d that the king wishes to woo the daughter of
the

u An alliance,” said Phanes, with an incredulous shrug.

THE OLYMPIC GAMES.

33

** the Persians already rule half the world. All the chief
powers of Asia how to their sceptre. Only Egypt and our
Greece have remained safe from the conqueror.”

“You forget golden India, and the great nomadic races
of Asia,” returned Callias. “You also forget that an
empire which consists of seventy races, possessing different
languages and customs, always hears in it the seeds of
rebellion, and must he on its guard against foreign wars,
lest some of the provinces seize the favourable moment for
revolt when the main body of the army is absent. Ask the
Milesians whether they would keep quiet, if they heard
that the chief forces of their oppressor had been defeated
in battle.”

Theopompus, the merchant of Miletus, interrupted the
speaker and cried eagerly : “ If the Persians are defeated
in war, they will be attacked by a hundred foes, and my
countrymen will not be the last to rise against the
weakened tyrant.”

“Whatever the intentions of the Persians may be,”
continued Callias, “ I maintain that they will be here in
three days.”

“And so your oracle will be fulfilled, happy Aristo-
machus,” cried Rhodopis. “ The horsemen from the
mountains can be none other than the Persians. When they
reach the shores of the Nile, the five ephors will have
changed their minds and you, the father of two Olympic
victors, will be recalled. Fill the goblets again, Cnacias.
Let us drink the last cup to the manes of famous Lysander,
and then, though unwillingly, I must warn you of the
approach of day. The host who loves his guests rises
from table when the joy reaches its climax. The pleasant
memory of this untroubled evening will soon bring you
back to this house, whereas you would be less willing to
return, if you were forced to think of the hours of de-
pression which followed your enjoyment.”

All the guests agreed with Rhodopis, and Ibycus
praised the festive and pleasurable excitement of the even-
ing and called her a true disciple of Pythagoras.

Every one prepared for departure; even the Sybarite,
who to drown the emotion, which annoyed him, had drunk
immoderately, raised himself from his comfortable position

j>

34

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

with the assistance of his slaves, who had been summoned,
and muttered something about violated hospitality.

When Ehodopis held out her hand to him on bidding
him farewell he cried, overcome by the wine : “ By Her-
cules, Ehodopis, you turn us out of doors as if we were
importunate creditors. I am not accustomed to leave the
table as long as I can stand, and I am still less accustomed
to be shown the door like a parasite.”

“ Do you not understand, you immoderate drinker ?”

began Ehodopis, trying to excuse herself and smiling ; but
Philoinus who, in his present mood, was irritated by this
retort, laughed scornfully and cried, staggering to the
door : “ You call me an immoderate drinker, well I call you
an insolent slave. By Dionysus, it is easy to see what
you were in your youth. Farewell, slave of Iadrnon and
Xanthus, freed slave of Charaxus.”

He had not finished, when the Spartan threw himself on
him, gave him a violent blow with his fist and carried the
unconscious man, like a child, to the boat which, with his
slaves, awaited him at the gate of the garden.

CHAPTER in.

RHODOPIS AND PHANES.

A LL the guests had left the house.

The insults of the drunkard had fallen on the joy
of the parting guests like hail on a flourishing cornfield.
Rhodopis herself stood pale and trembling in the deserted
banqueting- hall. Cnacias extinguished the coloured lamps
on the walls. An uncanny twilight took the place of
the bright light and showed indistinctly the disordered
table, the remains of the feast and the seats pushed
back from their places. A cold breeze came through the
open door, for the day was beginning, and the time before
sunrise is perceptibly cool in Egypt. The lightly-clad
matron shivered a little with cold. She stared with
tearless eyes at the desolate room which a few minutes ago
was full of happiness and rejoicing. She compared her
mind to the deserted scene of pleasure. She felt as though
a worm were gnawing at her heart, as if her blood had
turned to snow and ice.

She stood thus for a long time, till her old slave appeared
and lighted her to her room.

Rhodopis submitted in silence to being disrobed, in
silence she raised the curtain, which separated a second
bedroom from hers. In the middle of the room stood a
bed of maple wood on which, on a mattress of soft sheep-
skin covered with white sheets, under light blue cover-
ings, slept a lovely, charming being, Sappho, Rhodopis’
grand-child. The delicately-rounded figure, the well- cut
face, were those of a blooming maiden, the peaceful smile
was that of a happy, innocent child.

The beautiful head of the sleeper rested on one hand,
which was hidden by the dark brown masses of hair, the

36

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

other carelessly held a small amulet of green stone, which
hung from her neck. The long lashes of the closed eyes
moved almost imperceptibly and a faint, soft flush spread
over the sleeper’s cheeks. The delicate nostrils rose and
sank in regular intervals. Thus we represent innocence ;
dreaming peace smiles like this ; such sleep the gods give
only to the untroubled days of early youth.

Ehodopis approached the bed noiselessly and so care-
fully, that she scarcely touched the thick carpet. She
looked with unspeakable affection at the smiling face
of the child ; she knelt down softly and silently by the
bed, and cautiously pressed her face on the soft cushions,
so that the maiden’s hand touched her hair. Then she
wept without restraint, as if with these tears she wished
to wash from her soul the sorrow and humiliation she had
suffered.

At last she rose, breathed a light kiss on the sleeper’s
brow, raised her hands in prayer to heaven and went back
to her room as cautiously and softly as she had come.

By her couch she found her old slave, who still waited
for her.

“ Why have you not gone to rest, Melitta ? ” she asked
in a low, pleasant voice. “ G-o to bed ; it is not good to
keep long vigils at your age, you know. I do not need you
any longer. Grood-night ! Bo not come to-morrow till I
call you. I shall sleep but little, and shall be glad if morn-
ing brings me short slumber.”

The slave hesitated; it was evident she wanted to say
something and yet feared to speak.

“ You would like to ask me a question ? ” said Ehodopis.

The old woman still hesitated.

“ Tell me what you want, but be quick.”

“ I saw you weep,” said the slave. “ You seem un-
happy or ill. May I not watch by you ? Will you not
tell me what pains you ? You have often found that it
relieves you to tell your trouble. Confide your grief to
me once more. It is certain to comfort you, it will bring
back peace to your soul.”

“No, I cannot speak,” answered Ehodopis. Then she
continued, with a bitter smile : “ I have once more realized
that no virtue can blot out a human being’s past, and that

EIlODOriS AND PHANES.

3?

shame and misfortune are wont to be synonymous. G-ood-
night ; leave me, Melitta.”

At noon on the following day the same boat which had
brought the Athenian and the Spartan on the previous
evening, stopped^ at Rhodopis’ garden. The sun shone
bright and hot in the clear deep blue Egyptian sky ;
the air was so pure and light, the beetles buzzed so
gaily, the boatmen in their boats sang their monotonous
chant so loudly and joyously, the shores of the Rile were
so luxuriant, so gay with flags, so thronged with people,
the palms, sycamores, acacias and charrubes were so green
and full of strength, the whole expanse of country seemed
to have been endowed with such exceptional fertility by a
benevolent deity, that the traveller could not help thinking
that all misfortune was banished from these fields, that
this was the home of joy and delight.

How often when passing a quiet little village lying hidden
among its orchards, we think it is the abode of peace,
simplicity and hearty social intercourse. But if we enter
the various cottages, we find everywhere anxiety, want,
desire, passion, fear, and repentance, sorrow, and misery,
and often, alas I but little joy. Who that came to Egypt
would guess that the laughing, wealthy, gay country of
the sun, whose sky is never clouded, nourished a race
inclined to gravity and bitterness ; that in the dainty
hospitable house of happy Rhodopis, surrounded by flowers,
a heart beat in deep grief? What guest of the much-
respected Thracian could dream that this heart belonged
to the graceful and smiling matron ?

Pale, but beautiful and kind as ever, she sat with Phanes
in a bower beside the cooling fountain. It was evident
that she had been weeping again. The Athenian held her
hand and spoke encouragingly to her. Rhodopis listened to
him patiently ; smiling now bitterly, now assentingly. At
last she interrupted her well-meaning friend, and said : —

“ I thank you ; sooner or later this insult will also be
forgotten. Time is a good physician. If I were weak, I
would leave Hauer atis and live in solitude solely for my
grand-child. I assure you that there is a whole world in
that young being. A thousand times have I wished to leave
Egypt ; a thousand times have I conquered my longing. It is

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

not the desire for homage from your sex that keeps me ;
I have had so much of that, I am more than satisfied.
It is the certainty that I can be of use in some degree to noble,
freeborn men, that I may sometimes even be indispensable
to them, which keeps me here, — me, the once despised
woman, the former slave. Accustomed as I am to a large
sphere of activity among men, the mere care of a beloved
being would not satisfy me; I should fade like a flower
transplanted from fertile soil to a desert, and my
grand-child would soon he left quite desolate and thrice
orphaned. I shall remain in Egypt! Now. when you
are gone, I shall become truly necessary to our friends.
Amasis is old; if Psarutik should succeed him we shall
have to contend with great difficulties, which we have been
spared till now, I must remain and continue to fight
and prepare the way for Greek freedom and Greek pros-
perity. That is the aim of my life. I am all the more
faithful to my aim, because a woman has seldom dared to
dedicate her life to such a purpose. Let men call my yearn-
ings unwomanly if they like. This night, which I spent
in weeping, showed me that there is still very much of
that woman’s weakness left in me -which is at the same
time the happiness and misfortune of my sex. My first
task has been to preserve this weakness, and all tender,
womanly qualities in my grand-child. The second has been
to free myself from every weakness. But it is impossible
to fight against one’s own nature "without incurring defeat.
When pain threatens to overcome me, when I feel inclined to
despair, the only way in which I can comfort myself is to
think of (PythagoraOmy friend, the most glorious of all
living men, and of Ins words : ‘ Be moderate in all things ;
beware of joyous delight, despairing grief, and strive to
keep your soul harmonious and melodious, like the strings
of a well-tuned harp.’ My Sappho shows me daily this
Pythagorean calmness, this perfect, undisturbed peace of
mind ; I strive in vain to obtain it, in spite of the many
strokes of fate which put the strings of my heart out of tune.
Now I am calm, you cannot imagine what an influence the
mere thought of that great thinker, that calm, moderate
man, has upon me. His memory thrills my being like a
soft, but iuvigorating sound. You knew him, too, and must

RH0D0PI8 ASD PHANES.

39

understand what I mean. Now, I entreat yon to tell me
your desire. My heart is calm as the waves of the Nile
which flows past us so tranquil and clear. Be it good or
ill, I am prepared to listen.”

“ That is how I like to see you,” returned the Athenian.
“ If you had thought at once of the noble friend of wisdom
as Pythagoras was accustomed to call himself, your soul
would have been restored to its beautiful balance yester-
day. Our master commands us every evening to review in
our minds the events, feelings and thoughts of the day.
Had you done this, you would have told yourself that the
sincere admiration of all your guests, among whom were
men of high merit, outweighed the insults of a drunken
libertine. You would have been forced to feel that you
are a friend of the gods, for in your house the immortals
bestowed on an old man after years of misfortune, the
greatest happiness which can fall to the lot of mortal. They
deprived you of one friend, only to give you another and a
better. Ho not contradict me, and now let me tell you
what I wish to ask.

“ You know that I am sometimes called a Halicarnassian,
sometimes an Athenian . 1 The Ionian, iEolian, and Dorian
mercenaries never agreed very well with the Carians. My
threefold descent, if I may call it so, was therefore particu-
larly useful to me, the leader of both parties. Amasis will
miss me in spite of Aristomachus’ excellent qualities, for I
easily kept the peace among the mercenaries, while the
Spartan will he greatly troubled by the Carians. My two-
fold descent is due to the fact that my father married a
Halicarnassian woman of pure Dorian blood. He resided
at Halicarnassus when I was born, in order to obtain the
inheritance of her parents. Although I was taken to Athens
when I was three months old, I am really a Carian, for
a man’s home is determined by his birthplace.

“ In Athens I, one of the young Eupatridse of the ancient
and aristocratic race of Ajax, was brought up and educated
with all the pride of an Attic noble. Brave, clever Pisis-
tratus, who belonged to a family which, though of the same
rank as ours, is by no means superior, (there is no higher

1 Herod, i. 63, 64, calla Thanes a Ilalicarnassian. We have made
him an Athenian, as we wished to represent an Attic noble.

40

AN EGYPTIAN T>RINCESS.

race than my father's,) was able to seize the power. Twice
the united efforts of the nobles were successful m over-
throwing him. When assisted b 7 Lygdamis of Naxos, the
Argives and Eretrians, he tried to return for the third time,
we once more opposed him. We encamped by the temple of
Athene, at Pallene. The clever despot surprised us while
we were sacrificing to the goddess before break last, attacked
our unarmed men, and won an easy, bloodless victory. As
half the army which was opposed to tyranny was entrusted
to me, I determined to die rather than to surrender. I
fought with all my strength, urged my soldiers not to yield,
and neither retreated nor gave way, but fell at last with a
spear in my shoulder. The Pisistratidse became masters of
Athens. I fled to Halicarnassus, my second home, accom-
panied by my wife and children, was appointed commander
of the mercenary troops in Egypt, because a victory at
the Pythian G-ames and bold deeds in battle had made my
name known, joined in the campaign in Cyprus, shared with
Aristomachus the glory of gaining possession of the birth-
place of Yenus for Amasis, and ended by becoming the
commander of all the mercenary troops in Egypt.

“ My wife died last summer ; the children, a hoy of eleven
and a girl of ten, remained with their aunt in Halicarnassus.
She, too, fell a prey to unappeasable Hades. I gave orders
a few days ago that the children should come here. They
cannot reach Naucratis till three weeks have elapsed and
perhaps they will have set out before a contrary order can
reach them. I must leave Egypt in three weeks and can-
not receive the children myself. I have determined to go
to the Thracian Chersonesus, to which place, as you know,
the Dolonci have summoned my uncle. The children are
to follow me, Corax, my faithful old slave, will remain in
Naucratis to bring the little ones to me. If you wish to
show me that you are truly my friend, receive them
and care for them till a ship sails for Thrace, and hide
them carefully from the spies of prince Psamtik. You
know he is my mortal foe, and he might easily strike
at the father through the children. I have asked this
great favour of you because I know your kind nature and
because the king’s letter, which makes your house an
asylum, will save my children from the inquiries of the

nnonons and ptianes.

41

police, who, in tliis land of formalities, command that the dis-
trict officials must he apprised of the arrival of all strangers,
even children. You see how highly I esteem you, for I
give you the sole thing that makes me still care for life.
Even my home is nothing to me while it is disgraoed by
the mile of the tyrant. Will you restore peace to a father’s
anxious heart ? ”

“ I will, I will, Plianes,” cried Ehodopis, with sincere
delight, “ you are asking nothing of me. You give me a
present. Oh, how I look forward to the little ones. And
how Sappho will rejoice when the dear children arrive and
cheer her loneliness. But, Phanes, I shall certainly not
let my little guests leave me with the first Thracian ship.
You can surely part with them for another short six months ;
I promise that they shall have excellent teaching, and he
trained to admire all that is good and beautiful.”

“ I am sure of that,” answered Phanes smiling grate-
fully, “ but still you must let the two little rogues leave
with the first ship. My dread of Psamtik’s vengeance is
unfortunately but too well founded. I thank yon most
heartily for your kindness and love for my children. I
think, however, that the distraction caused by these lively
little beings will be good for your Sappho in her
loneliness.”

“Besides,” interrupted Ehodopis -with downcast eyes,
“the confidence which a noble man places in my motherly
virtues justifies me in forgetting the insult hurled at me
by a drunkard in his cups. Here comes Sappho.”

CHAPTER IV.

THE PERSIAN EMBASSY.

F IVE days after the evening at Rhodopis’ house, a great
crowd assembled in the harbour of Sais. Egyptians
of both sexes, of every age and rank, stood close together
at the edge of the water.

Warriors and merchants in white garni cuts, bordered with
coloured fringes, the length of which was determined by the
rank of the wearer, mingled in the great crowd of muscular,
half -naked men, whose clothing consisted of a loin cloth,
the usual garment of the common people. Naked children
pushed, jostled and fought, to obtain better places*
Mothers in short cloaks held their little ones high up,
though they deprived themselves of the oxpected spectacle.
A number of dogs and cats fought at the feet of the eager
spectators, who moved cautiously, so as neither to hurt
nor kick any of the sacred animals. Constables, armed
with long staves, the metal knobs of which bore the name of
the king, kept order, and took special care that no one
should be pushed by his neighbour into the swollen waters of
the Nile, which washed the walls of Sais during the floods
— in many cases their anxiety was shown to be justified.

A different class of people was waiting on the broad
steps lined with sphinxes, the landing place of the royal
boats.

The chief priests sat there on stone benches. Some of
them were clad in long white robes ; others wore a loin-
cloth, costly straps, wide ornaments on their necks and
panther skins. A few wore fillets ornamented with
feathers, which nestled against their brown temples and the
stiff erection of the thick false curls, which fell down the
back, others paraded the shining baldness of their care-
fully-shaven, well-formed heads. The chief judge was

THK PERSIAN EMBASSY

43

specially distinguished by wearing the largest and best
ostrich feather in his head-dress, and a valuable sapphire
amulet which hung on his breast from a gold chain.

The chiefs of the Egyptian army wore coloured coats of
mail, and carried short swords in their belts. A division
of the bodyguard, armed with battle-axes, daggers, bows,
and large shields, Btood on the right of the steps; on
the left stood the Greek mercenaries in Ionic armour. Our
friend Aristomachus, their new leader, stood with some of
the inferior officers, apart from the Egyptians by the side
of the colossal statues of Psamtik I. which were placed at
the head of the steps, with their faces turned towards
the river. In front of them, on a silver chair, sat
prince Psamtik in a close-fitting coloured coat woven
with gold; he was surrounded by the chief courtiers,
chamberlains, counsellors, and friends of the king, who
carried staves with ostrich feathers and golden lotus
fiowers in their hands. The surging crowd of people
shouted and screamed, and gave unmistakeable signs of
impatience, while the priests and nobles on the stairs sat
looking straight before them in dignified silence. Each
one with his calm demeanour, his stiff wig of curls , 1 his
false, symmetrically curled beard, resembled the two statues
which were perfectly alike in appearance, and regarded the
river with a calm, grave, steadfast gaze. Now the blue
and purple checked silken sails became visible in the
distance. The crowd shouted with joy. “ They are coming,
they are coming ! ” they cried. “ Take care that you do not
tread on that kitten I ” “ Nurse, hold the girl higher so

that she can see ! ” “ You will end by pushing me into the
♦water, Sebak ! ” “ Take care, Phoenician, the boys are

throwing burrs into your long beard l” “Now then,
Greek, you need not think that Egypt belongs to you, be-
cause Amasis allows you to live by the holy river !”
“ What insolent people these Greeks are ! Down with
them ! ” cried an attendant of the temple. “ Down with
the swine-eaters , 3 and despisers of the gods ! ” was shouted
on all sides.

1 The ahaving of the head was prescribed by religion. A. wig of the
kind mentioned is in the Berlin Museum.

3 The use of pigs’ flesh was strictly prohibited in Egypt.

44

AN EGYPTIAN PEINCESS.

The crowd prepared for action, but the police were not
to be trifled with, and made such use of their long staves
that they soon restored peace and order. The large, gaily*
coloured sails which were easily distinguished from the
blue, white and brown sails of the smaller Nile boats,
swarming around them, approached nearer and nearer to
the expectant crowd. Now the dignitaries and the prince
rose from their seats.

The royal trumpeters blew a loud and piercing blast, and
the first of the expected boats stopped at the landing*
stage.

The vessel was somewhat long in shape and richly gilt;
it bore on its beak the silver figure of a hawk. A
golden pavilion, with a purple roof, stood in the middle of
the ship. Long couches were placed within inviting to
repose. Twenty-four oarsmen, whose loin-cloths wen?,
held by valuable straps, sat in the prow of the vessel,
moving the oars.

Under the canopy lay six handsome, splendidly-dressed
men. Before the boat had stopped, the youngest of them,
a youth with bright, golden hair, sprang ashore.

At his appearance a long-drawn “ 0 ” escaped from
many a girl’s mouth, and a pleased smile lighted up the
grave faces of some of the dignitaries.

The youth who aroused this admiration was ^artty son
of the late, and brother of the reigning king of Persia, and
he had received from nature all that a youth of twenty
could possibly desire.

Thick, fair, golden hair streamed in luxuriant curls from
the blue and white fillet, which was wound round his
tiara. His blue eyes were full of life, happiness, kind-
ness, courage, and even pride. His noble face, surrounded
by the soft down of his coming beard, would have been
worthy of the chisel of a G-reek sculptor; Ids slender,
muscular forin betrayed great strength and activity. The
splendour of his dress equalled his beauty. A great star

'Better known as Smerdis. The cuneiform inscriptions at Bishim
or Behistdn call him Bartja or Bardiya, Babylonian Barzia. We have
taken the name of Psamtik for Amasis’ son from the tablets at Kamak
the Cataract islands, &c. The Greeks call him Psammetiekos. Psame*
mtos, or Psammecherites. "

THE PERSIAN EMBASSY.

45

of diamonds and turquoises glittered in the centre of the
tiara he wore. His upper garment of heavy, white and gold
brocade which fell beneath his knees was confined at the
waist by a sash of blue and white, the colours of the royal
house of Persia. A short, golden sword, whose hilt and sheath
were covered with white opals and blue turquoises, hung
from Ms sash. His trousers, which were gathered in tightly
at his ankles, and were made of the same gold brocade as
his garment, reached to the short, light blue, leather shoes.

His powerful arms, which the long, wide sleeves of his
garment left bare, were adorned with several costly brace-
lets of gold and jewels. A gold chain hung from his
slender neck upon his well-developed chest.

This youth was the first to spring ashore. He was
followed by Darius, son of Hystaspes, a noble young
Persian, like Bartja of royal blood, and scarcely less
splendidly dressed than he. The third was a man with
snow-white hair, in whose grave, pleasant face were visible
the kindness of a child, the experience of a veteran and the
intellect of a man. He wore a long purple coat with
sleeves, and yellow Lydian hoots . 1 His whole appearance
was unassuming, and yet years ago this plainly-dressed old
man was the most envied being of Ms time, the man whose
name is still used after a lapse of more than two thousand
years as typical of the wealthiest of men. He was Croesus,
the dethroned king of Lydia, who now resided at the court
of Cambyses as Ms friend and counsellor, and who had
accompanied young Bartja to Egypt as his mentor.

He was followed by Prexaspes the ambassador of the
king of Persia, Zopyrus, son of Megabyzus, a noble
Persian, the friend of Bartja and Darius ; the last to land
was Gyges, the pale, slender son of Croesus, who had
become dumb in Ms fourth year, hut whose power of
speech had been restored to him by the terror he felt for
Ms father’s safety at the taking of Sardes.

Psamtik descended the steps to meet the arrivals. His
stem, yellow face strove to smile pleasantly. The dig-
nitaries who followed him bowed almost to the ground
before the strangers, while their arms hung loosely at their

1 On account of these boots, which are often mentioned, the oracle
said to Croesus, u Avdh iroSappL”

46

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS,

sides. The Persians crossed their hands on their breasts
and prostrated themselves "before the prince. When the
preliminary formalities had been exchanged, Bartja, in
accordance with the custom of his country, but io the sur-
prise of the people who were unaccustomed to such a sight,
kissed the yellow cheek of the Egyptian prince, who
shuddered slightly at the touch of the impure lips of a
stranger. Bartja then went with his guides to the litters
which were waiting to carry him to the residence which
had "been appointed for him and his companions in the
royal palace of Sais.

Some of the crowd hastened after the strangers ; the
greater part of the spectators remained in their places, as
they knew that many a sight whose like they had never
seen awaited them.

“ Bo you mean to follow those gay popinjays and other
children of Typhon ? ” asked a discontented temple servant
of his neighbour, an honest tailor of Sais.

“ I tell you, Puhor, and the chief priest said so too ; these
intruders will bring nothing but misfortune to the black
land. Where are the good old times when no foreigner who
valued his life could put his foot on Egyptian soil P Now
our streets are full of cheating Hebrews and, above all, of
those insolent Greeks — may the gods destroy them. Look,
that is already the third boatful of strangers. Bo you
know what these Persians are ? The chief priost says that
in all their country, which is as large as half the world,
there is not a single temple for the gods, and instead of
bestowing honourable funeral on the mummies of their
dead, they leave them to be torn to pieces by dogs and
vultures.” 1

The tailor expressed great astonishment and still greater
‘ indignation ; then he pointed to the landing-stage with his
finger, and said : “ As truly as the son of Isis destroyed
Typhon, the sixth boatful is landing ! ”

' Persians had no temples at the time of the Achiemenidaj. they
i , fil ' e ' altars > and exposed their dead to the dogs and vultures. Aft
the body could not be burned or buried, since it would have desecrated
the pure fire or the earth, burial places were constructed. They were
covered with plaster and cement to a depth of four inches, and surrounded
with ropes, which signified that they were suspended in the air without
touching the ground.

THE PERSIAN EMBASSY.

47

“ Yes, it is dreadful,” sighed the temple servant. “ You
might almost think that a whole army was approaching.
Amasis will go on like this till the strangers drive him
from his throne and land, and enslave and plunder his
unhappy people, as the evil Hyksos , 1 those accursed people
and the black Ethiopians did formerly.”

“ The seventh boat,” cried the tailor.

“ May my lady Neith, the great goddess of Sais, destroy
me, if I -understand the king. He sent three baggage
boats to that accursed nest of poison, Naucratis, to fetch
the luggage and servants of the Persian embassy. Eight
boats had to be provided instead of three, and besides
kitchen utensils, dogs, horses, carriages, boxes, baskets,
bundles, these despisers of the gods and scorners of the
dead have dragged hither, for thousands of miles, a whole
host of servants. There are said to be people among them
who have nothing to do but to weave wreaths, or prepare
ointments. They have also brought their priests, whom
they call Magi. I should like to know what those idlers
are here for. Of what use is a priest where neither gods nor
temples are known ? ”

Amasis, the aged king of Egypt had received the
Persian embassy soon after their arrival, with all the
graciousness which was peculiar to him. Pour days later
when he had finished his work, to which he applied himself
every morning without exception, he went for a walk with
old Croesus in the palace gardens, while the rest of the
Persians, accompanied by the crown prince, went for an
excursion to Memphis.

The palace garden was royally magnificent, but still it
resembled that of Khodopis in its arrangements; it lay near
the royal citadel, which was in the north-west of the town.

1 Foreign rulers in Egypt whose origin it is difficult to determine. Cer-
tain interesting monuments found atTanis in the Delta, representing kings
with foreign faces devoted to the worship of Set (Typhon), prove their
existence. Some of their names are preserved in the papyrus at Turin ;
and the Sallier Papyrus gives an account of the last period of their rule.
The kings of the seventeenth dynasty opposed them. We think they
were powerful Phoenician colonists, who were assisted by Arabs and
tribes from Palestine. EberV £ ACgyptcn und die Bucher Moses, w p. 198 ;
Brugsch, C£ Egypt under the Pharaohs

48

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

The two old men seated themselves in the shade of a
broad sycamore, not far from a gigantic basin, of ml
granite into which crocodiles of black basalt ejected a
quantity of clear water from their wide-open jaws.

The dethroned Icing, though a few years older than the
mighty ruler by his" side, was by far the fresher and
more vigorous of the two. Amasis’ tall iigure was bent, weak
legs supported his strong body, his face was well formed,
bnt covered with wrinkles, 'and his small sparkling eyes,
betokened an active mind. A roguish, teasing, often mock,
ing expression played perpetually round his full lips. Tht
old man’s low, broad forehead, and his large, well-shaped
skull gave proof of his intelligence j the changing colour of
his eye roused the conjecture that wit and passion were
present in this strange man, who had worked his way up
from a common soldier to the throne of the Pharaohs.
His speech was incisive and harsh, his movements almost
morbidly vivacious when compared with the stately
manners of the other members of the Egyptian court.

His companion’s bearing seemed altogether graceful
and worthy of a king. His whole manner showed that he
had enjoyed much intercourse with the best men of Greece,
Thales, Anaximander and Anaximenes of Miletus, Bias of
Priene, 1 2 Solon of Athens, Pittacus of Lesbos, the most
celebrated sages of Greece had in happier days been guests
at the court of Croesus, in Sardes. His full, clear voice
was like pure music when compared with Amasis* shai p
tones.

“How, tell me plainly, ** said the Pharaoh, 3 in fairly
fluent G-reek, “how you like Egypt? I know no one
whose opinion I value as much as yours ; for, in tho
first place, you know most of the nations and countries of
the world, and, secondly, the gods have let you ascend and
descend the whole ladder of fortune ; thirdly, there must
be a reason why you have been for so long a time the
counsellor of the most powerful of kings, I wish you
would like my land so much that you f 9lt inclined to

1 Bias, a philosopher of Ionic race, lived about 650 b.c,, and was
celebrated for the wisdom of his sayings and his decisions.

2 In English, the Great House, the Sublime Porto; Egyptian,

peraa.

THE PERSIAN EMBASSY.

49

remain liere and be my brother. Truly, Croesus, you have
long been my friend, though it was but yesterday that the
gods sent you to me,”

“ And you have been my friend,” interrupted the
Lydian. “ I admire you for the courage with which you
carry out what you consider good in defiance of those
around you. I thank you for the favour with which you
treat my friends, the Greeks. I look on you as my com-
panion in fortune, for you too have passed' through all the
by and happiness that life can bring.”

“ With this difference,” said Amasis, smiling, “ that we
began at different ends. You received first the good, then
the evil. It was otherwise with me ; that is to say,” he
added thoughtfully, “ if I acknowledge that my present good
fortune makes me happy.”

“ And if,” exclaimed Croesus, “ I grant that my so-
called misfortunes cause me suffering.”

u How can it be otherwise, after the loss of such great
wealth ? ”

“ Does happiness consist of wealth ? ” asked Croesus.
u Is happiness a possession ? Happiness is merely a con-
ception, an emotion which the envious gods give more
often to the needy than to the powerful, whose clear glance
is dazzled by glittering treasures, who must always suffer
defeat, because, while conscious of their ability to obtain
much, they are vanquished in the fight for the possession
of that which they desire, but can never obtain.”

Amasis sighed and said : <4 1 wish I could contradict you,
but when I think of my past, I must confess that the
greatest troubles of my life began on the day which
brought my reputed happiness.”

“ And I assure you,” cried Croesus, “ that I am thankful
your help came too late, for the hour of misfortune brought
me my first unalloyed joy. When the first Persians
mounted the walls of Sardes, I cursed myself and the gods ;
life seemed hateful to me, existence a curse. Lighting, I
retreated with my men, despair in my heart. A Persian
soldier raised his sword above my head. My dumb son
Gyges caught the murderer’s arm, terror loosened his
tongue, and I heard him speak for the first time for
years. In that dread hour my son, Gyges, had again

E

50

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

received the power of speech, and I, who had cursed flic
gods, now bowed before them. I took away the sword of
the slave, whom I had ordered to kill me if I was taken
by the Persians. I was a changed man, and gradually
learnt to conquer the anger which was always starting
up at the thought of my fate and of my noble foes.
You know that I at last became the friend of Cyrus,
that my son, whose full power of speech was restored, was
allowed to grow up by my side, a free man. Whatever I
had seen, or heard, or thought of, in my long life that was
beautiful, I treasured up to bestow on him. He was
henceforth my kingdom, my crown, my treasure. When
I saw Cyrus’ troubled days and sleepless nights, I trembled
at the memory of my own former power and greatness ; I
saw more and more clearly where actual happiness was to
be sought. Everyone bears it as a hidden germ in his
heart. The contented, patient mind, which rejoices in all
that is great and beautiful, but is also pleased with what
is small, bears sorrow without complaint, and sweetens it
by memory, moderation in all things, firm confidence in the
favour of the gods and the certainty that the worst evil must
pass by because everything is subject to change. All tlus
matures the hidden germ of happiness in our hearts, and
enables us to smile when the man who has not been
trained by fate doubts and despairs.”

Amasis listened attentively, while he drew figures in the
sand with the head of the golden greyhound on his stick,
and then said :

“Truly, Croesus, I, 'the groat god of justice, the son of
Neith, the lord of military glory,’ 1 as the Egyptians call me,
I am tempted to envy you, despoiled and dethroned as you
are. In former days I was as happy as you are now. All
Egypt knew me, the poor son of a captain, because of my
happy heart, my love of mischief, my light-heartedness,
my gaiety. The common soldiers did whatever I wished*
My superiors found much to blame in me, but much
was excused in mad Amasis. My companions, the inferior
officers of the army, could enjoy no festival without me.

1 These were Amasis’ titles; Rosellini, “Monument! dell Kgitto»”ii
149. All the Pharaohs had similar names, and were reverenced m
gods.

THE PERSIAN EMBASSY.

51

My predecessor, Iioplira, sent us against Cyrene. We were
dying of want in the desei't, and refused to proceed. The
suspicion that the king wished to sacrifice us to the Greek
mercenaries drove us to open revolt. Jesting, as usual, I
cried to my friends : * You won't manage without a king,
so make me your ruler. You won’t find a merrier one
anywhere/ The soldiers heard my words. * Amasis wishes
to be our king,’ was cried from corps to corps, from man
to man. ‘ Good, happy Amasis shall be our king,’ every-
one shouted joyously, when a few hours had elapsed. An
associate of my revels put the marshal’s helmet on my
head. I changed jest to earnest ; the greater part of the
army sided with me, and we beat Hophra at Momemphis.
The people joined the conspiracy. I ascended the throne.
I was called happy. Till then the friend of all Egyptians,
I now became the enemy of their best men. The priests
did homage to me, and admitted me into their caste, but
only because they hoped to make me their tool. My
former superiors envied me, or wished to associate with
me as in former days. You can understand that this
was not compatible with my new dignity, and that my new
authority would have been undermined. One day, when the
commanding officers of the army were feasting with me, and
trying to joke with me as usual, I showed them a golden
foot-pan, in which their feet had been washed before the
meal. Five days later, when they again feasted with me, I had
a golden statue of the great god Ea 1 placed on the table. As
soon as they saw it they fell on their knees and worshipped.

1 Ra was worshipped chiefly at Heliopolis, and must be considered
the central figure in the solar worship of the Egyptians, which we
consider to have formed the basis of their religion. The hawk was
sacred to him. Most of the hymns in the Book of the Dead are ad-
dressed to him, and the obelisks were dedicated to him. He was
looked on as the god of light, who directs all visible creation, while
Osiris rules the spiritual world. Osiris, the “soul of Ra, w wanders
through this world as Ra, and every evening returns to his real home
where he rules as Osiris. The Phcenix is connected with the worship of
Ra. He came every 600 years from the land of palms (Eastern Phoenicia)
to burn himself in the temple at Heliopolis, and arise more beautiful
than ever from the ashes. This symbolises a period of 500 years, which,
like the phoenix, are renewed out of themselves ; their sixfold repetition
determines the time needed by the soul to issue purified from its wan-
derings.

52

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS,

When all had risen, I seized the sceptre, held it on high
solemnly, and cried : * An artist made this divine image in
five days from the despised vessel in which you spat, and
in which your feet were washed. I myself was once such
a vessel, but the divine power which can work with more
speed and more skill than a goldsmith, made me your
king. Kneel down before me, therefore, and do homage
to me. Whoever is disobedient, or again forgets the
reverence which he owes to the king, the representative of
Ka on earth, is sentenced to death.’ They all prostrated
themselves ; I had preserved my authority, but I bad lost
my friends. I still needed another firm support. I made
use of the G-reeks. A Greek is worth more than five
Egyptians when it is a question of fighting. I knew it,
and relying on this, I ventured to carry out what I thought
wise.

“I was always surrounded by Greek mercenaries; I
learnt their language from them ; they introduced to me
the noblest man I have ever met, Pythagoras. I strove
to bring Greek art and Greek customs into Egypt, for I
saw that it was foolish to cling to inferior customs while
better things lay ready, only waiting to be planted in
Egypt. #

“ I divided tbe whole land in a suitable manner, and
organized the best police in the whole world ; I accom-
plished much, but my highest aim, the introduction of
the Greek spirit, the Greek sense of beauty, the Greek
love of life, and free Greek art into this land which is so
bright, luxurious, and yet so gloomy, was always wrecked
on that rock which threatens me with ruin and destruc-
tion whenever I attempt any change. The priests are
my opponents, my masters, a check on all my actions.
These men, who cling with superstitious reverence to esta-
blished forms, to whom all that is foreign is an abomi-
nation, who look on every stranger as the natural foe of
their authority and their teaching, these men rule the
most pious of nations with a power which is almost un-
limited. This was the reason why I was forced to sacra-
fice my fairest plans to them ; in obedience to their harsh
precepts I must let my life pass away in slavery. I shall
die unsatisfied, and not certain that this proud and angry

THE PERSIAN EMBASSY. £3

host of mediators between man and his gods, will grant
me eternal rest in my grave.”

“ By onr preserver Zeus, you poor, lucky man,” inter-
rupted Croesus, in a sympathizing tone, “I understand
your complaints. For though in the course of my long
existence I have met individuals who passed through life
gloomy and stern, I never thought there could he a whole
great nation to whom gloomy hearts were given as the
poison fangs to the snake. On my journey hither and at
your court I have seen as many gloomy faces as I have
met priests. I have rarely seen even the hoys who
wait on you smile, and gladness is wont to accompany
youth as a fair gift of the gods, as flowers accompany
spring.”

“ You would he mistaken if you thought all Egyptians
were gloomy,” returned Amasis. “ It is true our religion
demands that we should think seriously of death ; hut you
will not easily find another nation that is equally fond of
mocking jests, that when it once gives itself up to festive
mirth, enjoys itself with such forgetfulness of self and such
licentiousness. The priests hate the sight of you, and by
their sullen behaviour they make me suffer for my alliance
with you, the strangers. Those hoys of whom you spoke,
the sons of the highest priests, are the greatest plague of
my life. They do the work of slaves for me, and obey my
slightest sign. You would think that those who let their
children perform such service would be the most obedient,
respectful servants of their king, to whom they pay divine
honours. But believe me, Croesus, this very submission,
which no ruler can refuse without giving offence, conceals
a very subtle calculation. Each of these youths is my
warder, my keeper. I cannot move my hand without their
knowing it, and when I have moved it, in that same hour
the priests hear of it.”

“But how can you endure such an existence? Banish
these spies from your presence, and choose your servants,
from the military caste say. They cannot fail to become
as useful to you as the priests.”

“0 that I could, that I dared!” cried Amasis, aloud.
Then he continued in a lower tone, as if frightened at
himself : “I think our conversation is being overheard.

54

an EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

To-morrow I will have the fig-trees yonder destroyed.
That young priest, who seems fond of gardening, and who
is picking figs which are barely ripe, cares for oilier fruit
than those which he slowly places in his little basket, 11 is
hand gathers fruit, his ear the words from the mouth of
his king.”

“ But by Father Zeus and Apollo M

“ I understand your astonishment and share it, but every
privileged position has its duties, and as king of this land*
which pays divine honour to all established customs, I
must submit to the ancient court ceremonies of a thou-
sand years, at least in the main points. If I tried to
break my chains, it might be that they would leave my
body unburied. You must know that the priests hold a
court of justice over every corpse, and deprive those,
whom they find guilty, of the peace of the grave. Con-
sideration for my son would probably secure burial for
me ; but as regards the treatment which my body would
receive from those who would have to attend to the
sacrifices for the dead ”

“ Why do you trouble about the grave?” Croesus said,
interrupting his friend impatiently. “ We live for life,
not death.”

“ Say, rather,” returned Amasis, rising from his seat,
“ we who sympathize with the thoughts of the Greeks,
consider a beautiful life the highest good ; but, Croesus, I
was the child of an Egyptian father, I was nursed by an
Egyptian mother, I was brought up on Egyptian food,
and though I have adopted much that is Greek, I am still
an Egyptian in my inmost heart. That which was sung
to you in your childhood, which was proclaimed holy
in your youth, that will live in your heart till you are
swathed in mummy cloths. I am old, and I have but a
short time left me before I reach the boundary beyond
which lies the other life. Shall I, for the sake of those
few days, destroy all hope for the thousands of years of
death ? No, my friend ! I am still an Egyptian in the firm
belief, which I share with each of my countrymen, that the
welfare of my second life 1 depends on the preservation of

1 The soul was looked on as a part of the world-soul Osiris, with
which it united after death, One of the chief doctrines of the ancient

THE PERSIAN EMBASSY.

55

my body, tlie soul’s carrier, if I am not yet thought worthy
of mingling with the world-soul, and, myself a part of it, to
help rule all creation as Osiris. But enough of these lofty
matters, which I am forbidden by a solemn oath to re-
veal to you. Tell me, how do you like our temples and
pyramids ? ”

Crcesus answered thoughtfully :

“ The masses of stone which form the pyramids appear
to mo as if the vast desert had created them ; the gay colon-
nades of the temples seem to be the work of a luxuriant
spring. The sphinxes which lead to the doors show the
way to the sanctuary, but the sloping, fortress-like walls
of the pylones seem placed there to repulse you. The
gay hieroglyphics tempt the eye, but their mystery repels
the mind. The pictures of your multiform gods are pre-
sent everywhere ; they force themselves irresistibly on the
eye, and yet everyone feels that they mean something
different from what they represent, that they are oniy the
visible symbols of deep thoughts comprehended by few.
My curiosity is aroused everywhere, my interest awakened,
but my strong sense of what is beautiful and pleasant is
nowhere attracted and satisfied. My spirit would like to
penetrate the mysteries of your wise men, but my heart
and mind must remain strangers to the fundamental doc-
trines on which your thoughts, actions, and existence are
based, and which seem to teach that life is to be looked
on as a short pilgrimage to death, and death as the real,
true life.”

“ And yet we recognise the true worth of life which is
made beautiful by gay festivals, and we fear the terrors of
the grave, we try to avoid death wherever it appears. . Our
physicians would not be so famous and respected if we
did not think that they possessed the art of prolonging our
earthly existence. But that reminds me of the oculist,
Nebenchari, whom I sent to the king at Susa. Is he a
good physician? Are you satisfied with him? ”

u Such men do honour to the science of your country,”

Egyptian religion was the preservation of the body after death, in order
to ensure the speedy release of the soul and its future union with the
source of light and goodness. Eor some time the soul is still bound to
the body in a certain measure.

56

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

returned Croesus. “It was Nebencliari who drew Oam-
byses’ attention to your daughter's beauty. He has cured
many blind people, but unfortunately the king’s mother is
still deprived of sight. We are sorry that such a skilled
man only understands the eyes. When Princess At ossa
had the fever, we could not persuade him to prescribe for
her.”

“ That is quite natural, for our doctors are allowed to
treat only one part of the body. We have aurists,
dentists, oculists, surgeons, and physicians for internal
diseases. According to the old laws of the priests,
no dentist may treat a deaf man, no bonesetter may
attend a man who suffers from an internal disease,
though he may understand the treatment perfectly well.
These laws are intended to bring about great accuracy.
The priests, to whose caste the physicians belong, cultivate
science with most praiseworthy attention. Yonder lies the
house of the chief priest, Neithotep, whose knowledge of
astronomy and geometry even Pythagoras praised highly.
It is next to the hall which leads to the temple of the'god-
dess Keith, the patroness of Sais. I wish I might show you
the sacred grove with its splendid trees, the costly pillars of
the sanctuary, with their capitals shaped like lotus flowers,
the colossal chapel of granite which I had made at Elephan-
tine out of a single block of stone, in order to dedicate
it to the goddess. The priests unfortunately asked me to
bring even yon no further than the outer walls and pylones
of the temples. Come let us seek my wife and daughters,
for they like you, and I wish that you should feel friendly
towards the poor girl before you go with her to the distant
land, and the strangers whose queen she is to be. You
will watch over her, will you not ? ”

“ Eely on me,” answered Croesus, clasping Amaais*
hand. “I will help your Nitetis as a father, and she
will need my help, for the women’s apartments in the
Persian palace are but slippery ground to walk on. She
will, however, be treated with great consideration. Oam-
byses may well be satisfied with his choice, and he will
value the fact highly that you confide your fair child
to. him ; for though Tachot is not inferior in charm to
Hitetis, she wants the majesty which distinguishes her

THE PERSIAN EMBASSY.

57

sister, and well In. 1 fits tlie future queen of Persia. Neben-
chari only spoke of your daughter Tacliot ”

“ Nevertheless I shall send my beautiful Nitetis, Tachot
is so delicate, that she could scarcely bear the fatigue of
the journey, and the grief of parting. If I obeyed the
dictates of my heart, Nitetis should not go to Persia either.
But Egypt needs peace* i Wcus a king before I was a
father.”

err a rmi *

A BANQUET AT COURT.

'T'HE remaining members of the Persian embassy hat]

-h returned to Sais after their sail on the Nile as far as
the pyramids, with the exception of Prexaspes, the ambas-
sador of Cambyses, who was already on his way back to
Persia to inform the king of the success of his mission.

The palace of Amasis was full of life. The retinue of
Cambyses 1 embassy, which consisted of nearly throe hun-
dred men, and the distinguished guests, to whom every
possible attention was shown, filled all the rooms in the
great palace of Sais. The courtyard was crowded with the
bodyguard, dignitaries, young priests and slaves, clad in rich
festive garments. The king was anxious to display the
wealth and magnificence of his court at a particularly
splendid feast given that day in honour of his daughter's
betrothal.

The lofty reception-hall facing the garden, was sup-
ported hy coloured columns, the blue ceiling was adorned
by rich paintings, and the whole formed an enchanting
picture. Lamps of coloured papyrus, that gave forth a
strange light, not unlike the sunlight when it shines
through coloured windows, were suspended from the walls
and pillars, which were richly ornamented with picture#
and hieroglyphics. The spaces between the walls and
pillars were filled with choice plants, such as palms,
oleanders, roses, pomegranate and orange trees; concealed
behind them was an invisible host of flute and harp
players, who received the guests with solemn, monotonous
music,

In the middle of the room, on the black and white tiles,
stood damty tables covered with cold joints, sweets, baskets

A BANQUET AT COURT.

59

of fruit and cake carefully arranged, golden winejugs,
glass goblets, and beautiful vases of dowers. A number of
splendidly dressed slaves bustled about the tables, and in
obedience to the directions of the steward, handed the
refreshments to the guests, who conversed together either
standing, or seated in costly armchairs.

The company consisted of men and women of all ages.
Young priests, the personal attendants of the king, offered
dainty nosegays to the women as they entered, and many
a noble youth appeared with dowers, which he not only
presented to his chosen lady in the course of the entertain-
ment, but even held close to her nose.

The Egyptians were dressed as they were at the recep-
tion of the Persian embassy, they behaved politely, almost
deferentially to the women, among whom there were few
of striking beauty. Many had almond-shaped eyes, the
charm of which was increased by the dye called mcstem,
which was used to colour the rims. Most of the ladies
wore their hair arranged in the same fashion. It was
pushed behind the ears, so that the abundant, artifi; ially
curled locks streamed down the back, leaving enough to
form two plaits, which hung on either side between the
eye and ear and reached to the bosom. A broad diadem
condned the hair which, as the maids knew, was as often
the work of the hairdresser as of nature. Many of the
court ladies wore a lotus dower across their parting, the
stalk of which lay against the back of the head.

They held fans of coloured feathers in their delicate
hands, which were covered with rings, and the nails of
which were dyed red in accordance with the Egyptian
fashion. They wore gold and silver bracelets round the
upper arm, the wrist, and the ankles.

The dresses of the Egyptian women were "both beautiful
and costly, and this was chiefly due to the dneness of the
delicate materials, which were almost transparent, and which
were sometimes cut so as to leave bare the right breast.

The young Persian prince, Bart] a, was most distin-
guished by beauty and grace among the men, and Nitetis,
the daughter of the Pharaoh, was the loveliest of the Egyp-
tian women. The royal maiden in a transparent pink dress,
with fresh roses in her black hair, pale as the lotus dower

60

AN EGYPTIAN PBINCESS.

which adorned her mother’s head, walked by the side of
her sister, who was dressed like her.

Queen Ladice, a G-reek by birth, daughter of Battus, of
Cyrene, walked beside Arnasis, and led the young Persians
to her children. A light lace garment covered the purple
material of her dress, which was interwoven with gold.
She wore on her beautiful Grecian head the head-dress of
the Egyptian queens, adorned by a golden uneus snake . 1 2
Her face was both noble and benevolent, and every move-
ment betrayed that she possessed that grace which a
Greek education alone could give.

Arnasis had chosen this woman as his queen, after the death
of his second wife, the Egyptian Tentcheta, the mother of
prince Psamtik, because of his prejudice in favour of the
Greeks, and in spite of the priests’ opposition.

Tachot and Nitetis, the two girls by the side of Ladiee,
were called twin sisters, but they showed no traces of that
resemblance which is usually found in twins.

Tachot was fair and blue-eyed, a small and delicately
made, while Nitetis was tall and full in figure, with black
hair and eyes ; her every movement showed that she was
sprung from royal blood.

“ How pale you look, my daughter,” said Ladice, kiss-
ing Nitetis’ cheek. “Be happy and await the future
calmly. I bring you the brother of your future husband,
noble Bart j a.”

Nitetis raised her thoughtful, dark eyes, and let them
rest with long scrutiny on the beautiful youth. Ho bowed
low, kissed the garment of the blushing girl and said :

“I salute you as my queen and sister. I can easily
believe that you are depressed at the thought of leaving
home, parents, brother, and sister, hut be of good courage,
for your husband is a great hero and a mighty king.
Our mother Cassandane, the noblest of women, the per-
sonification of womanly beauty and virtue, is honoured
by the Persians like the rays of the sun that gives us life.

I must crave your pardon, sister of the lily Nitotis,

1 The mark of royal dignity, which is found on the head-dresses of
all the kings and queens of Egypt.

2 It is certain that there were fair Egyptians. In Resell ini, “ Mon.
Stor.,” plate xix., there is a picture of a fair princess.

A BA'NTQ'CT'ET A.T COUET.

61

that we come to roh you, whom I might call the rose in
comparison with her, of your dearest friend.”

At these words the youth looked into the eyes of "beauti-
ful Taehot, who laid her hand on her heart and bowed.
She followed Bartja with her eyes long after Amasis
had led him away to a chair opposite the dancing girls,
who began to display their skill for the amusement of the
guests. These girls wore only a light skirt, and turned
and twisted their supple limbs to the tune of the harps
and tambourines. Then Egyptian singers sang, and
jesters uttered merry jests.

At last some of the courtiers forgetting their solemn
demeanour in their intoxication, left the hall. The women
were fetched by slaves with torches, and went home in
coloured litters. Only the military commanders, the Per-
sian ambassadors, and a few dignitaries, special friends of
Amasis, were detained by the chief steward, and led into
a splendidly furnished room, where a table was prepared
in Greek fashion, on which a gigantic bowl for mixing the
wine invited to a nightly carouse.

Amasis sat in a high arm-chair, at the head of the
table; young Bartja was on his left, grey-liaired Croesus
on his right. Besides these two and the confidants of the
Pharaoh, Theodorus and Ibycus, the friends of Poly-
crates, whom we already know, were among the guests.
Aristomachus, the new commander of the Greek body-
guard, was also present.

Amasis, who a short time ago had been engaged in such
serious conversation with Croesus, was now ready with
jests. He seemed to have become once more the wild
lieutenant, the mad boon companion of former days.

Pull of sparkling wit, teasing and scoffing, he joked and
jested with his companions at the revel. Loud laughter,
often perhaps forced, in honour of the royal wit, greeted
his jests. Cup after cup was emptied, and the joy
reached its height when the steward appeared with a small
gilt mummy, and showed it to the company, crying : ** Eat,
drink, and be merry, for all too soon you will be like this.” 1

1 Som® of these mammies are extant. See Wilkinson, ii. 410. The
Greeks of Alexandria seem to have improved on the custom, and handed
round a winged genius of death.

62

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS*

“ Is it your custom to remind one of death, at your
banquets ? ” asked Bart j a, becoming grave ; “ or is it only
a jest of your steward for the occasion? ”

“It has always been the custom,” answered Amasis,
“ to introduce these mummies, in order to increase the
reveller’s mirth, and remind the drinkers that they must
enjoy themselves while there is time. You, young butter-
fly, have certainly many years of joy before you, but, we
old people, friend Croesus, must do our best now. Cup-
bearer, fill our goblets quickly, that not a moment of
life may pass uselessly. How you can drink, golden-haired
Persian 1 Truly the gods have given you a throat that is
as good as your eyes are beautiful, and your charms fresh.
Let me kiss you, you splendid youth! You bad boy!
What do you think, Croesus? My daughter Taohot
speaks of nothing bnt this beardless boy, who seems to
have turned her head, first with his beautiful eyes, and
then with his saucy words. Well, you need not blush,
young madcap. A man like you may, I suppose, pay atten-
tion to royal maidens, but if you were your father, Cyrus
himself, I should not let Tachot go to Persia.”

u Father,” whispered prince Psamtik, interrupting him,
“father, take heed of your tongue, and remember Phanes,”
The king looked darldy at his son, and, as if his joyous
mood had been suddenly checked, he henceforth joined
little in the conversation, which now became general.

Aristomachus, who sat opposite Croesus, had till now
kept his eyes fixed on the Persians without speaking, or
laughing at Amasis’ jests. When the Pharaoh grew silent,
he turned eagerly to Croesus, and said: “ I should like to
know, Lydian, if the snow lay on the mountains when you
left Persia? ”

Croesus, astonished at this strange address, answered
smiling : “ Most of the heights of the Persian mountains
were covered with verdure when we left Persia four months
ago, but there are heights in the land of Cambyses where
the snow does not melt even in the hottest seasons, and we
saw them gleam white when we descended into the
plain.”

The Spartan’s face brightened visibly. Croesus, who
liked the grave man. asked him his name.

A BANQUET AT COURT.

63

“ I am called Aristoniaclius.”

“ I should know that name ? ”

“You knew many Greeks, and many hear my name.”

“To judge from your accent you must be a Dorian.
Are you not a Spartan? ”

“ 1 was.”

“ You are so no longer? ”

“ He who leaves his country without permission has
forfeited his life.”

“ ."Did you leave your home of your own accord? ”

“ Yes.”

“ Why?”

“ To escape disgrace.”

“ Wliat had you done ? ”

“ Nothing.”

“ Then you were falsely accused of a crime ? ”

“ Yes.”

“ Who was the cause of your misfortune ? ”

“ You ! ”

Croesus sprang from his seat. The grave voice and
stern face of the Spartan forbade every thought of jest.
The neighbours of the two men, who had listened to the
strange conversation, were frightened, and begged Aris-
tomachus to explain his remarkable accusation.

The Spartan hesitated. It was evident that he was un-
willing to speak, hut when the king also desired him to
tell his story, he began :

“ Croesus, in obedience to the oracle, you chose the Lace-
daemonians, the most powerful Greeks, as your allies against
the Persian might; and gave us gold for the Hermes
of Apollo on Mount Thornax. The ephors, therefore, de-
cided to give you a huge bronze bowl of artistic workman-
ship in exchange. I was chosen to bring it to you. Before
we reached Sardes a storm destroyed our ship. The bowl
sank with it. We barely escaped with our lives to Samos.
When we returned I was accused by enemies and envious
people of having sold the ship and howl to Samian mer-
chants. As they could not convict me, and yet wished to
ruin me, I was condemned to stand for two days and two
nights in the pillory. At night my foot was fastened to
the post of shame. Before the day of my dishonour

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

davmed, my brother came to me, and secretly brought me
a swoi'd. I was to kill myself because of this insult. I
could not die, for I had yet to seek vengeance on those
who ruined me. I therefore cut off my chained foot my-
self, and hid in the reeds of the Eurotas. My brother
secretly brought me food and drink. In two months I
was able to walk with this wooden foot. Far- reaching
Apollo undertook my vengeance. My bitterest foes died
of the plague. In spite of their death I was not allowed
to return. At Gy thin m I at last took ship, in order to go
to Sardes, and fight with you, Croesus, against the Persians.
When I landed at Tecs, I heard you were no longer
king. Mighty Cyrus, the father of this beautiful youth,
had in a few short weeks conquered powerful Lydia, and
made the richest of kings a beggar.”

All the revellers looked admiringly at the grave warrior.
Croesus shook his hard right hand, and young Bart j a cried,
“ Truly, Spartan, I should like to take you to Susa, to
show my friends what I have seen, the bravest and most
honourable of men.”

u Believe me, boy,” returned Aristomachus, smiling,
“ every Spartan would have acted as I did. In our country
more courage is required to be a coward than to be
brave.”

“ Would you,” cried Darius, cousin of the king of Persia,
“have borne to stand in the pillory, Bartja? ”

Bart j a coloured, hut his face showed that he, too, would
prefer death to shame.

“And you, Zopyrus,” asked Darius, turning to the third
of the young Persians.

“I would mutilate myself merely for love of you,”
cried he, and pressed his friends’ hands under the table.

Psamtik watched the young heroes with a mocking
smile. Croesus, Gyges, and Amasis looked on with satis-
faction, and the Spartan smiled with pleasure.

Ibycus now told of the oracle which promised Aristo-
machns that the time for his return homo would be near,
when men came from the snow-clad mountains, and ho also
mentioned Bhodopis’ house.

Psamtik became restless when he heard this name pro-
nounced. Croesus expressed his desire to become acquainted

A BANQUET AT COURT.

65

with the aged Thracian, of whom iEsop had told him much,
and when the guests had left the hall, most of them per-
fectly intoxicated, the dethroned kin g, the poet, the sculp-
tor, and the Spartan hero arranged to go to hTaucratia
the following day and enjoy lihodopis* conversation.

CHAPTER YT

FATHER AND SON.

K ING AMASIS allowed himself barely three hours* rent
after the feast we have described. As usual, the
young priests waked him from sluml^r as soon as the
cock crowed ; they led him to his hath, attired him in the
royal robes of state, and conducted him to the altar, in the
court-yard of the palace, where he sacrificed before the eyes of
the people, while the chief priests sang prayers with a loud
voice, enumerated the virtues of the king, and, in order to
remove all blame from the head of the ruler, made his
evil counsellors responsible for all sins committed in igno-
rance by him.

The priests exhorted him, as usual, to follow what was
good, while "they extolled his virtues, read to him the useful
deeds and the advice of great men from the holy writings,
and then led him to his apartments, where letters and
reports from all parts of the land awaited him.

Aroasis was accustomed to adhere closely to these cere-
monies and hours of work, while he spent the rest of the
day as he liked, generally in pleasant society.

The priests, therefore, accused him of living an unkingly
life, but on one occasion he answered the angry chief
priest : “ Behold this bow. If you keep it bent, it will soon
lose its strength ; use it half a day and then give it rest and
it will remain strong and useful till the string breaks,”

_ Amasis had just signed his last letter, granting the peti-
tion of a nomarch , 1 who asked for money for several em-
bankments , 2 which the floods had rendered necessary, when

1 The governors of the provinces or nomes of Egypt.

2 The peculiar character of the Nile necessitated the construction of
embankments. The Pharaohs considered it an honour to attend to
their preservation.

FATHER AND SON.

67

a servant announced that prince Psamtik begged his father
to grant him a few minutes’ audience.

Amasis, who, pleased at the favourable reports from all
parts of the land, had welcomed the servant cheerfully on
his entrance, now suddenly grew grave and thoughtful.
At length after a long pause he cried : “ G-o and tell the
prince he may enter.”

Psamtik, pale and stern as ever, bowed low and reve-
rently on crossing his father’s threshold.

Amasis thanked him by a silent nod, then he said
shortly and sternly : “ What do you want of me ? my time
is limited.”

“ Especially for your son,” returned the prince with
trembling lips. “ Seven times have I asked you for the
great favour which at last you grant to-day.”

“ No reproaches. I can guess the cause of your coming,
I am to clear up your doubts as to Nitetis’ descent.”

“ I am not curious. I have come rather to warn you, and
remind you that another lives beside myself who knows
the secret.”

“Phanes?”

“ Who else ? He is exiled from his home and from Egypt,
and will leave Naucratis in a few days. What guarantee
have you that he will not betray us to the Persians ? ”

“ The kindness and friendship I always showed him.”

“ Then you believe in men’s gratitude ? ”

“ No ; but I trust my power of judging them. Phanes
will not betray us. I repeat it, he is my friend.”

“ Your friend, perhaps, but my mortal enemy.”

“ Then beware of him. I need not fear him.”

“Not you, but our country. Consider, father, that
though you may hate me as your son, you must care for
me as Egypt’s future ruler. Consider that after your death
— may the gods long prevent it — I shall represent the pre-
sent of this glorious land as you do now, and that my fall
in the future will mean the destruction of your house, and
Egypt’s ruin.”

Amasis became graver, while Psamtik continued more
impressively: “You will, you must agree with me. This
Phanes has it in his power to betray our land to every foe,
fcr he knows it as well as you or I. In his breast there

68

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

sleeps a secret which, if revealed, will make our mightiest
friend our most terrible foe/’

“ You are mistaken. Nitetis is certainly not my
daughter, but yet she is the daughter of a king, and will
know how to win her husband’s heart.”

“Were she the daughter of a god, Cambysea would
become your foe if he discovered the secret, for you know
a lie is the greatest of crimes among the Persians, and
they consider it disgraceful to be deceived. But you have
deceived the proudest and mightiest among them, and
what can one inexperienced girl do when a hundred
women, skilled in cunning, strive to win their ruler’s
favour ? ”

“ Has eloquence a better master than hate and ven-
geance P ” asked Amasis in a cutting voice. “ Foolish boy, do
you think that I undertook so dangerous a game without
bestowing mature consideration on all circumstances P Let
Pbanes tell the Persians to-day what he does not even
know, what he only guesses, and can never prove. I, the
father, Ladice, the mother, must surely know best who is
our child. We boch call Nitetis our daughter — who can
affirm that she is not? If Phanes wishes to betray the
weakness of our land to another foe than the Persian, let.
him do so, I fear no one. If you wish to incite me to ruin
a man to whom I owe much gratitude, a friend who served
me faithfully for ten years before he offended me, I tell
you that instead of harming him, I am ready to protect him
from your vengeance, the impure origin of which I know,”

“ My father ! ”

“ You would like to ruin this man because he prevented
you from taking by force the grandchild of the Thracian,
Bhodopis, of Naucratis ; because when I found you unfitted
for the post, I appointed him commander-in-chief in your
place. You turn pale. I am indeed grateful to Phanes,
that he acquainted me with your shameful plans, and thus
gave me an opportunity of drawing closer to me those men
who form the support of my throne, and who esteem
Bhodopis highly.”

“Oh, father, that you should speak like this of the
strangers, that you should thus forget the ancient glory of
Egypt ! Insult me if you like, I know you do not love

FATHER AND SON.

69

me, but do not say that we need the stranger in order to
become great. Look back at our history. When were we
greatest? In the days when we closed onr land against
all strangers, without exception, and, standing on our own
feet, trusting to our own strength, lived according to the
ancient laws of our fathers and our gods. Those days saw
Ramses the Great 1 subdue the most distant races with
our victorious arms. Those days heard Egypt called the
first and greatest country of the world. What are we
now? I hear the king's lips call foreign beggars and
adventurers the support of the throne. I see you, the
king, plan a miserable stratagem to gain the friendship of
a race, over whom we won glorious victories before the
strangers came to the Nile. Egypt was a mighty queen
in beautiful raiment, now she is but a painted harlot
decked in golden tinsel.”

" Take care what you say,” cried Amasis, stamping
his foot. “ Egypt was never as flourishing and great
as now. Ramses carried our weapons to distant countries,
and won blood with them, but I have brought matters to
such a point, that the productions of our hands are sent
to all ends of the world, and bring us wealth and bless-
ing instead of blood. Ramses caused the blood and sweat
of his subjects to flow in streams for the glory of his name.
I have brought it about that blood is shed but seldom in
my land, while men sweat in useful work alone ; every
citizen can accomplish his journey through life in safety,
happiness, and prosperity. Ten thousand well populated
towns 2 stand on the shores of the Nile; not a foot of
ground is left uncultivated, not a child in Egypt is de-
prived of the blessings of law and justice, no criminal can
escape the watchful eye of the magistrate. If a foe should
attack us, well, we have not only our fortresses and the
cataracts, the sea and the desert which the gods gave us as
bulwarks, but we have also the best soldiers that ever bore
arms ; three thousand Greeks, and the Egyptian military
caste stand ready to protect us. That is how matters
are situated in Egypt. She gave Ramses tears of blood in

1 Ramses, called Sesostris by the Greeks, reigned 1894-28 b.o. II©
erected the obelisk which is now in Paris.

3 Herod., ii. 177.

70

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

return for his tawdry and idle fame. The pure gold of
true happiness and peaceful prosperity she owes to me
and my predecessors the Saitic kings.”

“ Nevertheless, I tell you,” cried the prince, “ that
Egypt is a tree at whose core a destructive worm is gnaw-
ing. The strife and struggle for gold and splendour have
debased all hearts. The luxury of the stranger has given
the deathblow to our simple habits. Everything is to be
bought for gold. We continually hear of Egyptians who,
led astray by the Greeks, sneer at the ancient gods, while
quarrels and disputes divide the castes of priest and sol-
dier. Every day there are bloody quarrels between Greek
mercenaries and Egyptian soldiers, between strangers and
natives. One stone of the state mill rubs against the other,
till the whole building will crumble to dust and ashes.
Father, I shall never speak if I keep silence to-day, and I
must at length say what oppresses my heart,. During your
quarrels with our venerable priesthood, the best support
of the throne, you looked on calmly, while the young and
vigorous Persian race rolled from east to west like tv
monster which swallows up nations, and becomes more
dreadful and powerful after each meal. Instead of helping
the Lydians and Babylonians as at first you intended, yon
helped the Greeks to build temples to* their false gods.
When, at length, all resistance seemed vain, when the
Persians had subdued half the world, and full of power
and invincible could demand of kings whatever they wished
for, then the Immortals once more seemed desirous to help
you to save Egypt. Cambyses desired your daughter, but
you, too weak to sacrifice your child to the general welfare,
send the great king a changeling ; and weak as you are,
you spare a stranger who holds the weal or woe of the land
in his hand, and will ruin the realm, if it does not before
then fall to pieces, destroyed by internal quarrels.”

Till now Amasis, pale and trembling with rage, had
allowed his son to insult all that he loved best. He
could keep silence no longer, and cried in a voice that re-
sounded like a trumpet-blast through the great hall : 11 Do
you know whose existence I should sacrifice, if the life of
my children and the preservation of the dynasty which I
founded were not dearer to me than the weal of this land?

FATHER AND SON.

71

Do you know, you boastful, revengeful son of misfortune,
wlio is tlie future destroyer of this glorious, ancient realm ?
It is you, Psamtik, you, the man marked by the gods,
feared by man, whose heart knows no love, whose breast
knows no friendship, whose face knows no smile, whose
soul is incapable of feeling for another. The curse of the
gods has given you your unhappy nature, the enmity of the
Immortals will ruin what you undertake. Now listen, for
I must sooner or later tell you what my paternal weakness
concealed from you so long. I had overthrown my pre-
decessor and forced him to give me his sister, Tentcheta, as
my wife. She learned to love me, and a year after our mar-
riage gave promise of a child. In the night which preceded
your birth, I slept by the side of my wife’s bed. I dreamt
that your mother lay on the shore of the Nile. She com-
plained of a pain in her breast. I bent over her, and saw
that a cypress was growing from her heart. The tree
became lai'ger and larger, broader and darker; its roots
wound themselves round your mother and smothered her.
A cold shudder seized me. I wished to flee. Suddenly a
terrible hurricane came from the east and threw down the
cypress, so that its great branches struck the Nile. Then
the river ceased to flow, its waters grew hard, and instead
of the stream a gigantic mummy lay before me. The
towns of the Nile contracted, and became great funeral
urns, which surrounded the corpse of the Nile as in a
grave. Then I awoke and sent for the soothsayers. None
could explain my dream till the priests of the Lybian
Ammon gave me the following interpretation : — ' Tentcheta
will be killed by the birth of her son. He, a gloomy,
accursed man, is represented by the cypress which killed its
mother. In his reign a nation from the east will turn the
Nile, that is, the Egyptians, to corpses, and their towns to
ruins, these are the funeral urns.’ ”

Psamtik stood like a statue before his father, who con-
tinued : “ Your mother died at your birth. Fiery red hair,
the mark of the sons of Typhon, 1 grew on your temples.

1 Typhon (Egyptian, Seth), the god of evil. He was at first the god
of war and of foreign countries. Rainses worshipped him, later princes
erased his name wherever they found it, and he was looked on as the
principle of destruction. He represents the destroying forces of nature,

72

AN EGYPTIAN FBINCESS.

You became a gloomy man; misfortune pursued you t for
it robbed you of a loved wife and dear children, I was
bom under the fortunate star of Ammon ; you, the astro-
logers calculated, were bom when the dreadful planet Sob
rose.”

Amasis stopped, for Psamtik, overcome by the terrible
things he had heard, and sobbing violently, broke down,
and groaned ont the words : “ Cease, cruel father, and at
least conceal the fact that I am the only son in Egypt
whose father persecutes him without cause,”

Amasis looked down on the pale man, who had hidden
his face in the folds of his garment, and fallen on his knees
before him. His quickly roused anger gave way to pity.
He knew that he had been too hard, that his tale laid aimed
a poisoned arrow at Psamtik’s heart; he thought of the
mother of the unhappy man, his wife, who died forty
years ago. He felt what he had not felt for a long while,
that he was a father whose duty it was to comfort tins
gloomy man, who rejected all signs of affection, who was a
stranger to him in all his views. It was the first time that
the tender-hearted king was called upon to dry the tears of
his son, who was wont to be so cold. He eagerly seized t he
opportunity. He bent over the groaning man, kissed his
brow, raised him, and said gently :

“ Pardon my violence, my son. The words which hurt
you came from the jaws of wrath, not from the heart of
Amasis. For many years yon have irritated me by cold-
ness, hardness, and obstinacy. To-day you trampled on
my holiest feelings, and I was carried away by uncon-
trollable violence. How all shall again be well between
you and me ; though we are too different ever to Income
truly united at heart, let us henceforth be united in action,
and give way to each other ”

Psamtik bowed silently, and kissed his father’s garment
“Hot so,” cried the king. “Kiss my mouth. That is
right, that is how things should be between father and son.
As to that mad dream, do not let it trouble you. Dreams

and all harmful plants and animals were dedicated to him. Hia colour
was red, and it is said that in early times red-haired people were sacrificed
to him. In later times red-haired people are said to have been pelted
with mud and generally despised.

FATHER AND SON.

73

axe deceptive, and even if tliey are really sent by the gods,
those who interpret them are mortals, and are therefore
fallible. Your hand still trembles. Your face is whiter
than your linen garment. I was hard to you, harder than
a father ”

“ Harder than a stranger should be to a stranger,” in-
terrupted the prince. “You have utterly crushed me.
My face was seldom brightened by a smile ; from hence-
forth it will be a mirror of misery.”

u Hot so,” said Amasis, and laid his hand on his son's
shoulder. “ Though I inflict wounds, I have the power to
heal them. Tell me the dearest wish of your heart, and I
will grant it.”

Psamtik's eyes blazed, a red flush overspread his sallow
face, and he answered, without an instant's reflection, but
with a voice which still trembled from the agitation his
heart had experienced during the last moments : “ Abandon
to me Phanes, my foe.”

The king remained lost in thought for a little while, then
he said : “ I shall have to comply with your request, but I
would rather you had asked half my possessions than this.
My inmost heart tells me that I am about to do what is
unworthy of me, and what will be the ruin of me, of you, of
the realm, of everything. Reflect once more before you act,
and I warn you, whatever you intend to do to Phanes, you
must not touch a hair of Rhodopis’ head. Take care, too,
that the persecution of my poor friend remains a secret,
especially from the G-reeks. Where shall I find another
general, a counsellor, a companion like him ? Phanes is not
yet in your power, and I bid you remember that though
you may be a clever Egyptian, Phanes is a clever Greek.
I must also remind you of your oath to give up every
thought of Rhodopis’ grand- daughter. X think I offer
yon a welcome substitute, for if I know you at all, ven-
geance is dearer to you than love. As to Egypt, I repeat
it was never happier than now. No one but the discon-
tented priests, and those who follow them, would think of
declaring the contrary. You would like to learn the story
of Nitetds' birth. Hearken, then ; your own interest bids
you keep the secret.”

Psamtik listened eagerly to his father's story, and

74

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS*

thanked him when he had finished, with a warm pressure
of the hand.

“ Now farewell,” said Amasis, bringing the interview
with his son to a close. “ Do not forget what I told you,
and I must entreat you to shed no blood. Deal as you
please with Phanes. I do not want to know what you
intend to do, for I hate cruelty, and should not like to
abhor my son. How glad you look! Poor Athenian,
better for you had you never entered this land ! ”

When Psamtik left his father's hall the king walked up
and down for a long while, lost in thought. He repented
of having yielded, and it seemed to him as if he already
saw Phanes, covered with blood, standing before him be-
side the shade of Hophra, whom he had overthrown. But
he might really ruin ns,” he said, trying tq justify what
he had done to himself. Then he shook himself, drew
himself up to his full height, called his servants, and left
the apartment cheerfully.

Had the light-hearted man, the child of fortune, really
calmed the forebodings of his soul so quickly, or was he
strong enough to hide with a smile the pain he suffered P

CHAPTER YU

SAIS.

W HEN Psamtik left his father’s apartment, he went
straight to the temple of the goddess Neith. At the
entrance he asked for the chief priest. The servants bade
him wait, for the great Neithotep was then praying to the
mighty goddess of heaven in the Holy of Holies.

After a short time a young priest appeared, and an-
nounced that his master awaited the prince.

Psamtik at once left the cool place, which he had occu-
pied in the shade of the white poplars of the sacred grove,
on the shore of the pond dedicated to great Neith. He
passed over the asphalte-covered stone pavement of the
first court, on which the dazzling rays of the sun fell like
fiery darts, and turned into one of the long sphinx avenues
which led to the pylons 1 of the gigantic house of the
goddess. Then he passed through the huge chief gate,
which like the gates of all Egyptian temples, was orna-
mented with broad- winged sundisks . 2 On either side of
the gates, which stood wide open, rose tower-like build-
ings, slender obelisks, and fluttering flags. He turned into
the court, bounded on each side by colonnades, in the
midst of which sacrifices were offered to the deity. The
whole front of the actual building rose like a fortress, at
an obtuse angle from the flags of the wide court, and was

1 Disconnected gates with sloping walls which led to the Egyptian
temples, and perhaps procured for the Thebes of Homer the name of
“ hundred gated.”

* The inscriptions of Edfoo, published by Naville, show that Hor
Hut (the Horus of Kdfoo) overcame the evil one and his companions in
the form of a winged sundish. To commemorate his victory winged
sundisks with urams snakes were placed over all the doors of Egyptian
temples and sanctuaries.

76

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

covered with coloured pictures and inscriptions. He entered
through the porticos a lofty ante-chamber ; then he came
to a great hall, the blue ceiling of which, covered with
thousands of gold stars, was supported by four rows
gigantic columns. The shafts and lotus-shaped capitals,
the walls and niches of this gigantic hall, everything, in
short, that met the eye was covered with hieroglyphics and
bright colours. The pillars rose to an enormous height,
the lofty hall stretched over an immeasurable space, the
air which the worshipper inhaled was full of incense and
the perfume of kyphi and of the fumes which penetrated
from the laboratories. Soft music, produced by invisible
artists, seemed to continue without pause, but. it was now
and then interrupted by the deep lowing of the sacred
cows of Isis, or the harsh note of the hawk of Horus,
whose dwelling was in the neighbouring hall. Whenever
the solemn, prolonged lowing of the cow sounded, like dis-
tant thunder, or the shrill, startling cry of the hawk was
heard, like a flash of lightning leaping from the earth to
heaven, the crouching worshipper bent and touched wit h
his forehead the stone flags of the court, which was sur-
rounded by colonnades. They looked with timid awe
towards the inner part of the temple, which was closed to
them. In the sanctuary — hewn out of one stone and
shaped like a chapel — stood numerous priests ; some wore
ostrich feathers on their bare heads, others had panther-
skins over their shoulders which were covered with white
drapery. Murmuring and singing, they bowed and ru ised
themselves, swung censers, and poured clear water out of
golden vessels as libations to the gods. In this gigantic
hall, which was opened to the more privileged Egyptians
only, man seemed a dwarf in his own eyes. His ear, his
eye, even his lungs felt no influences of the outer world
save those which were far removed from all that every-day
life offered; these oppressed his breast, and made his
nerves tremble. The agitated worshipper, transported o\it
of actual life, was forced to seek a support outside him-
self. It was pointed out* to him by the voice of the priest,
and the mysterious music and the cries of the holy animals
were looked upon as signs that expressed the nearness of
the divinity.

SAI3.

77

After Psamtik, though unable to pray, bad assumed tbe
attitude of a worshipper on the low, golden, cushioned scat
appointed for him, ho proceeded to the hall already men-
tioned, which was lower and smaller, and in which the
sacred cows of Isis-Neitli, and the hawks of Horus were
kept. A curtain of costly material, covered with gold em-
broidery, hid them from the eyes of the frequenters of the
temple, for the sight of these revered creatures was seldom
granted to the people, and then only from a distance.
When Psamtik passed by, cakes soaked in milk, salt, and
clover blossoms, were being placed in the golden manger of
the cows, and gaily feathered little birds in the neatly
worked cage of the hawk. In his present mood the
prince paid no attention to these well-known objects. By
means of a secret staircase he ascended to the rooms next
to the observatory, in which the chief priest was accustomed
to remain and to repose after divine service.

Neithotep, an old man of seventy years, sat on the
purple cushions of a gilt armchair in a splendid room
covered with thick Babylonian carpets. His foot rested
on a skilfully carved stool. In his hands he held a
scroll covered with hieroglyphics. Behind him stood a
boy, who kept all insects from him with a fan of ostrich
feathers.

The face of the old priest was full of furrows, but he
must have been handsome once. His large blue eye be-
spoke a keen intellect and dignified self-consciousness.

Heithotep had laid aside his artificial curls. The bald,
Bhining skull formed a strange contrast to the furrowed
face, and made the forehead, which among the Egyptians
was generally low, seem unusually high. The room, on
whose walls thousands of texts were painted in hiero-
glyphics, the various, coloured statues of the goddess which
Btood there, the snowy white of the priest's robe, could
not fail to make a solemn and strange impression on the
stranger.

The old man welcomed the prince very heartily and
asked :

“ What brings my illustrious son to the poor servant of
the goddess ? ”

“ I have much to tell you, my father," returned

78

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS,

Psamtik, smiling triumphantly, “for I have just come
from Amasis.”

“ He has probably listened to you at last ? ”

“At last/’

“ Your face tells me that our lord, your father, received
you graciously.”

“After I had experienced his wrath. When I told him
the wish you had charged me to utter, he became exceedingly
angry, and almost annihilated me with terrible words.”

. “ You must have hurt him. Or did you approach the
king as a son who came petitioning humbly, as I advised
you ? ”

“No, my father, I was irritated and angry.”

“ Then Amasis was right to be displeased, for it is never
seemly for a son to meet his father with anger, least of all
when about to ask a favour. You know the command :

1 Whoso honoureth his father shall have long life/ See,
my pupil, you have always failed because you have sought
to carry out by sullen violence, what could easily be attained
by kindness and gentleness. A kind word is far more effec-
tive than an angry one, and much depends on how you
manage your speech. Listen to what I will tell you. Many
years ago King Snefru ruled Egypt from Memphis. One
day he dreamed that all his teeth fell from his mouth. He
at once sent for a soothsayer, and told him his dream. The
man cried out : ‘ O king ! woe to you, all your relations will
die before you.* Snefru was angry, and ordered that the
messenger of evil should be whipped. He sent for a second
prophet, who explained the dream thus : “ Great king, hail
to your name, for you will live longer than all your rela-
tions/ The king smiled at these words, and gave presents
to this soothsayer, for though he had given him the same
explanation as the first man, he had known how to express
himself in better language. Do you understand the force
of my story ? Try in future to give a more agreeable form
to your words, for your manner of speaking is as important
as the matter, especially before a ruler,”

“Oh my father, how often you have given me this
advice ; how often I perceived that my rough words and
angry gestures injured me. I cannot alter my manner I
cannot ”

SJLIS.

79

** Say, rather, I will not, for lie who is truly a man must
never do again what he has done once, and then repented
of. But this is enough advice. Tell me have you soothed
Amasis’ anger? ”

“ You know, my father ; when he saw that Ins dreadful
words had wounded me to my inmost soul, he regretted
his passion. He felt that he had hurt me too much, and
wished to atone for his harshness at any price.”

“ He has a noble heart, but his mind is infatuated and
his sense prejudiced,” cried the priest. “ What could not
Amasis be for Egypt, if he would but listen to our counsel,
and the commands of the gods ? ”

“ He was much moved, and at last granted me— you
hear me, father — he granted mo the life of Phanes.”

“ How your eyes sparkle ! That is not right, Psamtik.
The Athenian must die because he offended the gods ; the
judge must let severity take its course, but he must
grieve, not rejoice at the misfortune of the condemned.
Now tell me, what else did yon obtain ? ”

“ The king told me from what house Nitetis is sprung.”

“ Nothing further ? ”

“ No, my father, but are you not anxious to hear ? ”

“ Curiosity is the vice of women ; besides, I have long
known all that you can tell me.”

“ But yesterday you urged me to question my father.”

“ Because I wished to prove you, in order to see whether
you can resign yourself to the command of the gods, and
wander on that path which alone can make you worthy of
initiation into the highest grade of wisdom. I hear that
you tell us honestly what you learn, and see that you
understand how to obey, the first virtue of a priest.”

“ Then you know who is Nitetis’ father ? ”

“ I myself uttered the prayers at King Hophra’s grave.”

“But who betrayed the secret to you? ”

“ The eternal stars, my son, and my skill in reading the
book of heaven.”

“ And do these stars never lie ? ”

“They never deceive the man who truly understands
them.”

Psamtik turned pale. The dream of his father, and
his terrible horoscope appeared before him, images of

80

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

terror. The priest saw at once the change in the prince’s
face and said : “ Yon are thinking of the unlucky signs in
heaven at your birth, and think you are lost, but be com-
forted, Psamtik ; the astrologers at that time overlooked a
constellation which did not escape my eyes. Your horo-
scope was bad, very bad, but it may turn to good, it
may ”

“ 0 speak, father, speak ! ”

4< It must turn to good if you forget everything else, and
live solely for the gods, and give unqualified obedience to
their voice, which we alone hear in the sanctuary.”

“ Command, my father, and I will obey.”

** May great Keith, the goddess of Sais, grant that,”
cried the priest solemnly.

“ But now, my son,” he added, in a friendly voice, “ leave
me alone, for I am weary with long praying and the
burden of my years. If it is possible to delay the death of
Phanes, I should like to speak to him before he dies.
Another thing, a troop of Ethiopians arrived here yester-
day. These people understand neither Egyptian nor Greek.
If they are commanded by a faithful man, who knows the
Athenian and the place, they will be suited to rid us of the
condemned man, for their ignorance of the language and
circumstances will prevent betrayal or gossip. They must
know nothing of the object of their journey before their
departure for Naucratis, and when the deed is done, we
will send them back to Ethiopia. Bemember that a secret
known to more than one is already half betrayed. Fare-
well.”

Psamtik left the old man’s room. A few minutes later
a young priest, a servant of the king, entered and asked
the priest : “ Did I listen well, father ? ”

“ Excellently my son. Nothing escaped you, that Amasis
said to Psamtik. May Isis preserve your hearing.”

4 'Why, father, a deaf man must have heard every word
in the adjoining room, for the king roared like a bull.”

“ Great Keith has afflicted him with imprudence. I
command yon to speak with more respect of the Pharaoh,
Kow go, and let me know at once if Amasis tries to prevent
the attack on Phanes. You will always find me at home.
Bid my servants refuse admittance to all visitors and say I

SAIS. 81

am praying in the sanctuary. May tlie unutterable deity
guard your steps.”

While Psamtik was making his arrangements for cap-
turing Phanes, Croesus and his companions embarked in a
royal barge to go to Naucratis and spend the evening with
Rhodopis.

His son G-yges and the three young Persians remained in
Sais ; they were greatly pleased with the town.

Amasis overwhelmed them with kindness, and, in accor-
dance with Egyptian custom, allowed them to associate
freely with his wife and the twin sisters, as they were
called. He taught G-yges to play at draughts, and was un-
wearied in jest and mirth, when he looked on, while the
strong, active young heroes joined his daughters in throw-
ing balls and hoops, a favourite amusement of Egyptian
girls.

“ Truly,” cried Bartja, after Nitetis had caught a Blender
hoop, ornamented with coloured ribbons, on her thin ivory
stick for the hundredth time without missing, “ we must
introduce this game at home. We Persians are not like
you Egyptians, we love everything new and foreign as
much as you seem to hate it. I will tell our mother,
Cassandane, about it, and she will gladly allow my brother’s
wives to amuse themselves with this game.”

“ Do so, do so,” cried fair-haired Tachot, blushing deeply.
“Hitetis will join the game and dream that she is at home
once more with her loved ones. And you, Bartja,” she
added softly, “ must think of this hour whenever you see
the hoops flying.”

The young Persian answered, smiling : “I shall never
forget it.” Then he cried aloud, turning gaily to his
future sister-in-law : “ Be of good cheer, Nitetis. You will
like us better than you think. We Asiatics know how to
honour beauty ; we prove that by taking many wives.”

Hitetis sighed, but Ladice, the king’s wife, cried : “ That
just proves how little you understand a woman’s nature.
You cannot imagine, Bartja, what a woman feels whep she
sees the man who is more to her than life itself, for whom
she would freely sacrifice all that is holy and dear to her,
look down on her as he would on a beautiful toy, a splendid

G

82

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

horse, a wort of art. And it is a thousand times harder
still to share with a hundred others' the love which you
hoped to possess alone.”

“ There you see the jealous woman,” said Amaais.
“ Does she not speak as though she had cause to com-
plain of my fickleness ? ”

“ Oh, no, my beloved,” returned Ladice. “ In this respect
you Egyptians are superior to all men, for you remain
faithful and constant to what you have once loved. Indeed,
I can boldly assert, no woman is as happy as the with
of an Egyptian . 1 The Greeks know better tlian the
Egyptians how to beautify life, but they do not know how
to honour woman as she should be honoured. The majority
of Greek girls spend a mournful youth in dull rooms,
where mothers and overseers keep them at the spindle and
the loom, and when they are grown up they^ are led to the
quiet house of an unknown husband, who is so occupied
with his private and public affairs that he can seldom enter
the women’s apartment. Only when the nearest friends
and relations are with the husband, the wife approaches
the men, and with all due timidity and shyness listens to
what goes on in the world. Alas ! the thirst for knowledge
dwells in us, and our sex especially ought not to be de-
prived of knowledge of certain things, so that we may
become our children’s teachers. What can a Greek mother,
who herself knows and hears nothing, transmit to her
daughters but ignorance. Hence it happens that a Greek
is seldom satisfied with his lawful wife, who is his intellectual
inferior, and he goes to the Hetscrse, who have learned much
from their constant intercourse with the other sex, and
know how to enliven their knowledge with the flowers of
feminine grace and the salt of their wit, which is keener
and more delicate than that of men. It is otherwise in
Egypt. Here the grown girl is allowed to mix freely in
the society of the best men. Numerous festivals enable

1 Egyptian queens were more respected tlian even the kings, accord-
ing to Diod. i. 27. The monuments show that women could ascend the
throne, and the heiress to the throne raised her husband to the rank of
king. Sons, when describing their descent, mentioned their mother more
frequently than tlieir father. Egyptian women were called “mistress”
or “ ruler of the house,” and they were allowed to dispose freely of their
own property.

SAI8.

83

youths and maidens to know and love each other. The
woman instead of being her husband’s slave is his friend.
One supplements the other. The strongest decides in
momentous questions, the smaller cares of life are left to
the woman, who is always greatest in small matters. The
daughters grow up under good discipline, for the mother
is not without knowledge and experience. It is easier for
the women to remain virtuous and domestic, for virtue and
domesticity increase the happiness of him who belongs to
her alone, whose most precious possession she esteems her-
self. You see, we women do only what we like. The
Egyptians understand the art of managing us so, that we
can only like what is good. Here on the Nile, Phocylides
of Miletus and Hipponax of Ephesus would not have dared
to compose insulting songs on us. Here the story of
Pandora could never have been invented.”

“ How well you speak,” cried Bartja. “ I found Greek
difficult to learn; now I am glad I did not give in, but
listened attentively to Croesus’ teaching.”

“ Who are those wicked men who dared speak evil of
women ? ” asked Darius.

“ Two Greek poets,” answered Amasis, “ the boldest of
men, for I would rather irritate a lioness than a woman.
Listen to a specimen of the verses of Hipponax.

* Only upon two days can a woman truly rejoice you ;

One is her wedding day, and one is the day when she’s buried/

“ Stop, stop, you mischievous man,” cried Ladice, stop-
ping her ears. “ You see, Persians, that is Amasis’ way.
He teazes and jests whenever he can, though he may agree
perfectly with those at whom he is scoffing. There is no
better husband than he ”

“And no worse wife than you,” laughed Amasis, “for
you actually lay me open to the suspicion of being a too
obedient husband. Farewell, children, these young heroes
must see Sais, but first I will tell them what that bad
Simonides 1 says of the best woman.

£ But like a bee the last : how blest the man
Who weds her, she alone is blameless aye.

1 Simonides of Amorgas lived about 650 b.c., and wrote many malicious
poems against women, whom he compared with disagreeable animals.
Only one who resembled the bee was good. The deformed poet, Hippo-

84

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

Beneath hoi- care hia substance over grows,

The household prospers ; loving and beloved
The pair grow old together; goodly sons,

Who call her mother, win them noble names*

Great is her praise, beyond all else beside,

And grace divine clings to her; but whene’er
The gossips sit, and gossip light goes round,

She takes no joy therein. Such are the wives
Zeus sends to bless their husbands, lull of worth,

Full of discretion.’

That is like my Ladiee. Farewell.”

“ Not yet,” cried Bart j a. “ I must first justify our poor
Persia, for the encouragement, of my future sister-in-law.
But no ; Darius, you must speak for me, for you under-
stand the art of speaking as well as you understand calcu-
lations and the science of the sword.”

“You make me out a chatterbox and a trader,” re-
turned the son of Hystaspes, “ But be it so. I have long
desired to defend the customs of our home. Know, then,
Ladiee, your daughter will certainly not be tlio slave of our
king ; she will be his friend, if Auramazda 1 incline hia heart
to what is good. In Persia, also, the king’s wives are
present at the table of the men, though certainly only on
solemn occasions, and we are accustomed to show the
greatest respect to wives and mothers. Tell me if you
Egyptians can bestow a lovelier gift on your wives than
was given by that king of Babylon who took a Persian
woman for his wife. She was accustomed to the mountains
of her home, and felt unhappy in the wide plains of the
Euphrates, and grew ill with homesickness. What did
the king do ? He had a gigantic structure erected on lofty
arches ; its summit was covered with a mountain of fertile
mould. On this he planted beautiful flowers and trees
which were watered by an ingenious contrivance. When

nax of Ephesus, lived about 550. Phocylides of Miletus imitated
Simonides in his writings. Translation by G. Scott, Esq., Merton
College.

1 Auramazda (Ormusd), the pure and good god of Persia, to whom
Angramainjns, or Ahriman, the evil spirit, is opposed. Eternity created
fire and water; out of these arose the spirit of good, Ormusd, who is
engaged in constant combat with evil Ahriman. Ormusd created heaven,
the sky, the earth, man, all useful plants and animals; all noxious
plants and animals were created by Ahriman. The struggle between the
two spirits will continue till the end of the world.

SAIS.

85

all was finished, he led his Persian wife thither and "be-
stowed on her the artificial mountain from which she
could look down on the plain below as from the heights
of Bachmed.” 1

“ Did the Persian woman recover ? ” asked Nitetis, with
downcast eyes.

“ She recovered and became happy ; and you, too, will in
a short time feel happy in our country.”

Ladice smiled pleasantly, and said *. “I wonder which did
more for the recovery of the young queen, the artificial
mountain, or the love of the husband who erected such a
building for her pleasure.”

“ The husband’s lovel ” cried the girls.

“But Nitetis will not despise the mountain either,” said
Bart j a. “ I shall try to arrange that she may reside on the
hanging gardens whenever the court goes to Babylon.”

“But now come,” cried Amasis, “or you will have to
look at the town in the dark. Two scribes have been
waiting for me yonder for more than an hour. Hallo,
there l Sachons, order the captain of the guards to accom-
pany our guests with a hundred men ! ”

“But why? Would not a G-reek officer, or a guide,
suffice P ”

“It is better so, youths. A stranger can never be
too careful in Egypt. Bemember that, and take special
care not to laugh at the sacred animals. Farewell, young
heroes, we shall meet again to-night over the joyous wine-
cup.”

The Persians left the palace, led by their interpreter, a
Greek who had been brought up in Egypt and spoke both
languages equally well.

The streets of Sais which lay in the neighbourhood of
the palace were pleasant to look at. The houses, many of
them five stories high, were built of light Nile bricks, and
were covered with pictures or hieroglyphics ; balconies,
with railings of carved and painted wood, and supported
by painted pillars, surrounded the walls facing the court-
yard. The name and rank of the inhabitants were visible

1 Nebuchadnezzar is said to have constructed the hanging gardens
for his Persian wife Amytis.

86

AN EGYPTIAN PHI NO ESS,

on the doors of many houses. Flowers and shrubs stool
on the flat roofs where the Egyptians liked to spend the
evening when they did not prefer to ascend the insect
tower, which was to be found on most houses, because,
the troublesome insects generated by the Nile can only fly
low, and hence can be avoided on the little turrets.

The young Persians were delighted with the great, almost
excessive cleanness of every house, and even of the streets.
The door-plates and knockers glittered in the sun, the paint-
ings on the walls, balconies, and pillars seemed to have been
only just completed, and even the pavement in the street
looked as if it had been scoured. The further the Persians
went from the Nile and the palace, the more insignificant
grew the streets. The town was built on the slope of a
small hill, and when two hundred and fifty years before
the residence of the kings was removed thither, it changed
in a comparatively short time from an unimportant- place
to a large town.

On that side of Sais which was turned towards the Nile,
the streets were beautiful and clean, but on the other side
of the hill lay the huts of the poor, seldom interrupted
by better houses, and made of Nile mud and acacia
boughs. The fortified palace of the king stood north-west
of the town.

“ Let ns turn back,” cried Gyges, son of Croesus, to his
younger companions who were in his charge, and for whom
he was responsible during his father’s absence, when he
saw that the crowd of curious people who followed them
increased at every step.

“Be it as you wish,” replied the interpreter; “but in
the valley at the foot of that hill lies the necropolis of
Sais, and I think it is well worth a stranger’s while to
see it.”

“ Go on,” cried Bartja ; “ did we not accompany Prexas-
pes in order to see the wonders of strange countries Y ”

When they reached an open space, not far from the
necropolis, surrounded by the huts of workmen, they heard
tumultuous cries break from the crowd which followed
them. Children shouted with joy, women screamed, and
a voice which drowned all others cried : “ Come hither to
the court of the temple to see the deeds of the great

SAI8.

87

magician wlio comes from the oases of the Libyan deserts,
and is endowed with miraculous powers by Ckunsu, the
giver of good advice, and the great goddess Hekt.”

“ Follow me to the little temple yonder,” said the inter-
pi'eter ; “ you will see a strange sight directly.”

He forced his way through the crowd of Egyptians,
followed by the Persians, pushed back now a naked child,
now a yellow-complexioned woman, and soon returned with
a priest, who led the strangers to the forecourt of the
temple. A man, dressed as a priest, stood there between
several chests and boxes ; two blacks knelt on the ground
beside him.

The Libyan , 1 a gigantic man with supple limbs and
piercing black eyes, held a long wooden wind instrument
in his hands. Several snakes, known in Egypt as poisonous,
wound round his chest and arms. When he stood opposite
the Persians, he bowed low, and inviting them with a
solemn gesture to attend, removed his white garments,
and began to perform various tricks with his snakes. Now
he allowed them to bite him, so that the red blood trickled
down his cheek ; then he forced them by means of strange
sounds from his flute to raise themselves and make danc-
ing movements, and, again, he spat into their jaws and
changed them to motionless sticks. Then he flung down
all the snakes, and danced madly in their midst, without
touching one of the creatures with his feet.

The conjuror whirled round and bent his supple limbs like
a madman, till his eyes started out of his head, and bloody
foam issued from his mouth. Suddenly he threw himself
on the ground as though dead. No part of his body
moved, and from his lips issued a hissing, whistling sound.
At this signal the snakes crept towards him, and wound
themselves round his neck, legs, and body like living rings.
At last he raised himself, and sang a song about the won-
derful power of the deity who, to his own honour, had
made him a magician. Hereupon he opened one of the
boxes and put in most of the snakes ; he kept a few, pro-
bably his favourites, as chains and bracelets.

x The western shore of the Nile, with the surrounding country, was
called Libya. The Libyan Nomos lay in north-west Egypt, and the
western region in the neighbourhood of Marmarica was very rich in snakes,

88

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

The second part of his performance consisted of con-
juring tricks. He swallowed burning flax, balanced swords
with their points in the sockets of his eyes while he
danced, drew long pieces of string and ribbon from the
noses of Egyptian children, played the well-known game
of cup-and-ball, and raised the admiration of the spectators
to its highest pitch when out of five ostrich eggs he con-
jured as many living young rabbits.

The Persians were by no means the least appreciative of
his audience. On the contrary, this performance, whose like
they had never witnessed before, made a deep impression
on their minds. They seemed to be in a land of miracles ;
they thought they had just seen the most wonderful of all
Egyptian wonders.

In silence they returned to the better streets, without
noticing how many of the Egyptians around them had no
hands, or mutilated noses and ears. These disfigured
people were nothing unusual to Asiatics, for they too
punished many crimes by ampntating limbs. If they had
inquired, they would have learnt that in Egypt a man de-
prived of his hand was a convicted forger ; a woman with-
out a nose was an adulteress ; a man without a tongue a
traitor ; and that pale, insane woman an infanticide who,
as a punishment for her crime, was forced, during three
days and three nights, to hold the body of her strangled
child in her arms. What woman could keep sane after
the expiration of the hours of martyrdom ?

Most of the criminal laws of Egypt were framed not
only to punish the crime, but also to make the repetition
of the first offence impossible.

How the procession stopped, for a large crowd had
assembled in front of one of the finest houses in the street
which led to the temple of Neith ; its few windows (most
windows looked on the court or garden) were closed with
shutters. An old man, in the simple white dress of a ser-
vant of the temple, stood screaming on the threshold, and
trying to prevent several members of his order from re-
moving a large chest from the house.

“ Who permits you to rob my master?” he cried, with
furious gestures. “ I am the guardian of this house, and
when my master was sent by the king to Persia — may the

SATS. 89

gods destrov it ! — lie commanded me to take special care
of this chest, which contains his manuscripts.”

“Calm yourself, old Hib,” cried the attendant of the
temple, whose acquaintance we made at the reception of
the Asiatic embassy, “ the chief priest of great Neith, your
master’s master, sent us hither. There must be strange
papers in this chest, or Neithotep wonld not have honoured
us with the commission to bring it to him.”

“ But I will not allow the property of my master, the
great oculist, Nebenehari, to be stolen,” cried the old man.
“ I will obtain justice, though I go to the king for it.”

“ Stop,” cried the attendant of the temple, “that’s right.
Hurry, men, take the chest at once to the chief priest. You
will be wise, old man, if you keep a guard over your tongue,
and remember that you too are a servant of my master,
the chief priest. Hasten back to the house, or to-morrow
we shall drag you away as we do the chest to-day.” With
these words he flung to the heavy door so violently, that
the old man was thrown back into the hall, and thus re-
moved from the eyes of the multitude.

The Persians had looked on at this strange scene, and
asked their interpreter for an explanation.

Zopyrus laughed when he heard that the owner of the
chest which the all-powerful chief priest had seized, was
that oculist who was in Persia to cure the eyes of the
king’s mother, and who had made himself disliked at
Cambyses* court through his grave and sullen demeanour.
Bartja wished to ask Amasis what this strange robbery
meant, but G-yges begged him not to interfere in matters
that did not concern him.

When they arrived in the vicinity of the palace (the
darkness, which approaches rapidly in Egypt, was already
advancing), G-yges suddenly felt himself detained by a
stranger, who held his garment. He looked round, and
saw that the stranger signed to him to be silent, by press-
ing his finger on his lips.

“When can I see you alone and unobserved?” he whis-
pered to Croesus’ son.

“ What do you want of me ? ”

“ I)o not ask, but answer quickly. By Mithra, I have
important things to reveal.”

90

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

“You. speak Persian. You are no Egyptian, as your
garment would lead me to think.”

“ I am a Persian — but answer quickly before we are
discovered. Wken can I see you? ”

“ Early to-morrow.”

“ That is too late.”

“ Well, tlien, in a quarter of an hour, when it is quite
dark, at this gate of the palace.”

“ I shall await you.” With these words the man vanished.
On their arrival in the palace, Gyges parted from Bart j a
and Zopyrus, put his sword in his belt, asked Darius to do
the same and to follow him, and soon stood before the
stranger at the great gate of the palace.

“ Auramazda be praised that you have come,” he cried
in Persian to the young Lydian. “But who is your com-
panion ? ”

“ My friend, anAchoemenide — Darius, son of Hystaspes.”

The stranger bowed low, and said : “ It is well ; I feared
an Egyptian had accompanied you.”

“ No, we are alone, and will hear you, but be brief. Who
are you? What do you want ? ”

“ I am called Bubares, and was a poor captain under
Cyrus. When we had taken Sardes, your father's town, wo
were allowed to plunder freely ; but your wise father begged
Cyrus to stop the pillage, for since he had taken Sardes, it
was he, not the former owner, who was being robbed. A
command was issued that, on pain ot‘ death, everything
was to he restored to the captains. They were ordered to
collect all the valuables which were brought them, in the
market-place. There lay great heaps of gold and silver
vessels, piles of ornaments of men and women, encrusted
with jewels ”

“Quick, quick, we have not much time,” interrupted
Gyges.

“ You are right, I must be briefer, I forfeited my life
because I kept an ointment-bos covered with gems out of
your father’s treasury. Cyrus wished to have me executed,
but Croesus begged my life of his victor. Cyrus set me free,
but declared me dishonoured. So I owe my life to your
father ; but I could not remain in Persia, my disgrace
weighed too heavily upon me. A ship brought me from

SAIS.

91

Smyrna to Cyprus ; there I took service, learnt Greek and
Egyptian, fought against Araasis, and was finally brought
hither by Phanes as prisoner of war. As I had always
served in tho cavalry, I was put among the slaves who
tend the king’s horses. I distinguished myself, and after
six years became the overseer of the stables. I never
forgot your father, and the gratitude I owe him. Now it
is my turn to show him a kindness.”

** My father is concerned ? Speak, speak, tell me.”

“ Directly. Has Croesus offended prince Psamtik ? ”

“ Not that I know of.”

“ Your father has gone to Ehodopis, at Naucratis, to-
night.”

“ How do you know ? ”

“ I heard it from him ; for I followed him to the boat
this morning, to throw myself at his feet.”

“ Did you succeed P ”

“ Yes ; he granted me a few gracious words, but he could
not hear me long, for his companions had already taken
their places in the ship when he came. His slave San don,
whom I know, told me quickly that they were going to
Naucratis, and would visit the Greek woman they call
Ehodopis.”

“ He spoke the truth.”

“ Then there is need of speedy help. When the market
was full, 1 ten chariots and two boats bearing Ethiopian
warriors, and led by an Egyptian, went secretly to
Naucratis, to surround Ehodopis’ house, and arrest her
guests.”

“ Treachery ! ” cried Gyges.

“ But what can they wish to do to your father ? ” asked
Darius. “ They know that Cambyses’ vengeance ”

“ I know nothing,” returned Bubares, “ except that
Ehodopis’ house, where your father is, is to be surrounded
to-night. I myself superintended the preparation of the
chariots, and heard the prince’s fanbearer say to the
captain : “ Pentaur, keep your eyes and ears open ; let
Ehodopis’ house be surrounded, so that he does not
escape by the hack door. Spare his life, if possible ; do

1 The Greeks fixed the time of noon according to the fulness of the
market. The market was probably fullest between ten and one.

92

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

not kill him unless he resists. If you bring him alive to
Sais, you shall receive twenty rings of: gold,” 1

“ Can this really concern my father ? ”

“ Never,” cried Darius.

“You cannot tell,” murmured Bubares. “Everything
is possible in this land.”

“How long would a quick horse require to reach Nau-
Gratis ? ”

“ Three hours if it can keep up, and the Nile has not
risen too high.”

“ I shall be there in two.”

“ I will ride with you,” cried Darius.

“No, you must remain with Zopyrus and protect Bart j a.
Bid our servants be prepared.”

“But, G-yges ”

“ Bemain, and make my excuses to Amasis. Say I can-
not share the feast because I have a headache, a toothache.
Do you understand? I will ride Bartja’s Nisiuan horse.
Bubares, follow me on Darius’ horse ! You will lend it me,
my brother ? ”

“ If I had ten thousand horses they would be yours.”

“ You know the way to Naucratis, Bubares ? ”

“ Perfectly.”

“ Go, Darius, bid them prepare your horse and Bartja’s.
Every delay is criminal. Farewell, Darius, perhaps* for
ever. Protect Bartja. Farewell ! ”

1 It is certain that money was not coined in Egypt he fore the time
of the Persians. The precious metals were weighed, and apparently*
formed into rings, &e. Sec Ebers, “ Egypton in Bild und Wort.’'

CHAPTER Vm.

THE FLIGHT OF P1LANES.

T WO hours before midnight, bright lights shone from
the open windows of Rhodopis’ house, whence sounded
joyous voices.

The tables of the hostess were prepared with special care
in honour of Croesus. The guests of Rhodopis, whom we
have already met — Theodorus, Ibycus, Phanes, Aristo-
tnachus, the merchant Theopompus of Miletus, Croesus,
and others — wreathed with poplar leaves and roses, reclined
on the cushions.

“ This land of Egypt,” said Theodorus the sculptor,
“ seems to me like a girl who possesses a golden slipper
which she does not like to take off, though it hurts and
pinches her, and though beautiful, comfortable slippers
stand before her, towards which she need but stretch her
hand in order to move freely and unrestrained,”

“You mean the rigid hold which Egypt keeps on her
ancient forms and customs ? ” asked Croesus.

“ Certainly,” returned the sculptor. “ Two centuries
back Egypt was indisputably the first country in the
world. Her art and science surpassed all that we could
do. We learnt much from them, perfected the stiff forms,
and gave them freedom and beauty ; followed no particular
measurement, but took nature for our model, and now we
have left our masters far behind us. How was that pos-
sible ? Principally because the latter were forced by in-
exorable laws to remain stationary, while we were able to
progress to the best of our strength and ability in the wide
field of art.”

“ But how can you force an artist to form his statues
according to one uniform model, when they all represent
different things ? ”

94

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

“ That is easily explained in this case. The Egyptians
divide the whole human body into twenty-one and a quarter
parts, and from this measurement they find the relative pro-
portions of the separate limbs. They adhere to these figures,
and sacrifice to them the higher claims of art. I niv sell:,
in the presence of the first Egyptian sculptor, a priest of
Thebes, offered Amasis a wager that I would write to my
brother Telecles in Ephesus, give him size, proportion, and
position according to the Egyptian method, and construct
with him a statue which should look as if one hand had
wrought it from one block of marble, though Telecles
should make the lower part in Ephesus and I would make
the upper part in Sais, before the eyes of Amasis*”

“ Should you win your wager P ”

“ Certainly. I am ready to begin this work of art ; but
it will deserve the title 4 work of art * as little as an Egyp-
tian statue deserves it.”

“ But a few statues are excellent ; for example, the one
which Amasis is sending as a gift to Polycrates of Samos.
I even saw a statue at Memphis, about three thousand
years old, which is said to represent a king who built one
of the great pyramids, and which aroused my admiration
in every respect. The unusually hard stone has been
manipulated with firmness, the muscles are most neatly
wrought, especially those of the legs, feet, and chest;
every detail is cleverly treated, the outlines are firmly
drawn, the features of the face are in perfect harmony, and
all this is visible in other statues.”

“ Undoubtedly. In spite of the long period of stagna-
tion, the Egyptians are greatly in advance of us in all that
regards actual handicraft, the manipulation of even the
hardest materials. Uo G-reek statue has ever attained
such remarkably beautiful polish as that which we see in
Amasis* statue in the court of the palace. The indepen-
dent treatment of the figure, the work of Prometheus, the
endowing the stone with a soul, this will not be learnt by
the Egyptians till they have completely renounced their
folly with regard to form. You will never be able to re-
present spiritual life by means of proportions, you cannot
even produce the charming variety afforded by the body.
Look at those innumerable statues which have been erected

THE FLIGHT OF PHASES. i>5

during thousands of years in the palaces and temples from
Haucratis to the Cataracts. They all represent hind, earnest,
middle-aged men ; and yet one is the statue of an old man,
another perpetuates the memory of a royal youth. Heroes,
lawgivers, despots, philanthropists, all look much alike,
unless they are distinguished by size, by means of which
the Egyptian artist expresses strength and power, and
the face, which resembles the original like a portrait.
Amasis orders a statue as I should order a sword. As soon
as we have arranged as to length and breadth, we know in
advance what we shall receive when the work is finished.
How could I make a broken-down old man as I would
make a vigorous youth — a poet like a warrior. Place Ibycus
by the side of our friend the Spartan, and think what you
would say if I represented the stern warrior and the poet
who wins all hearts, in the Bame manner.”

“ And what does Amasis say to your remarks as to this
stagnation ? ”

44 He regrets it, but does not feel himself strong enough
to abolish these ancient and binding rules of the priests.”

“ And yet,” said the Delphian, 44 he gave a large sum for
the adornment of our new temple, in order, I quote his
words, 4 to further Greek art/ ”

44 That was good of him,” cried Croesus. “Will the
Alcmmonidoe soon have collected the three hundred talents 1
they need for the completion of the temple ? If I were
still in my old position, I would gladly undertake the
whole expense, though your wicked god deceived me shame-
fully in spite of all the presents I gave him. Eor when I
asked him if I should begin a war against Cyrus, he answered,
that I should destroy a great kingdom if I crossed the
Halys. I trusted the god, gained the friendship of the
Spartans as he commanded, crossed the river, and de-
stroyed a large kingdom, it is true, but that kingdom was
not the Medo-Persian, but my own unhappy Lydia, which
finds it difficult to become used to the dependent state of
one of Cambyses , provinces.”

44 You do wrong to blame the god,” answered Phryxus,

44 for it was not his fault that your human vanity led you

1 About j£67,500.

96

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

to misinterpret his words. He did not say, 4 the Persian
kingdom/ but 4 a kingdom ’ would be destroyed by your
desire for war. Why did you not ask which kingdom he
meant ? Besides, did he not truly prophesy your son’s
destiny, and tell you that, on the day of misfortune, he
would again recover his speech. And when, after the
fall of Sardes, you asked Cyrus to allow you to inquire
at Delphi, whether it was the rule of the G-reek gods to
show ingratitude to their benefactors, Loxias answered
that he had had the best intentions regarding you, but
that over him, mightier than he, ruled the inexorable
fate which foretold to your powerful ancestor that the
fifth after him — and that was you — was chosen for mis-
fortune.” 1

44 Your words,” interrupted Croesus, 44 would have boon
more useful in the hour of misfortune than now. There
was a time when I cursed your god and his words ; but
when, with my power and wealth, I lost my flatterers, and
became accustomed to use my own judgment with regard
to my deeds, I saw plainly that not Apollo, but my vanity
had ruined me. A kingdom that was to be. destroyed
could not be mine — not the mighty realm of mighty
Croesus, the friend of the gods, till then the invincible
general. If a friend had pointed out to me this interpreta-
tion of the ambiguous words, I should have laughed at
him, or perhaps, yes probably, punished him. The despot
behaves to the honest friend who touches his wounded
soul like the horse that tries to kick the physician, who
probes his wound in order to cure it. I did not see what
I might easily have seen. Vanity dazzles the eye which was
given us to enable us to judge freely of things, and
strengthens the desire of the heart which, may the gods be
thanked 1 is open to every hope of gain, and turns away
quickly when it feels a well-founded fear of approaching
calamity. How much oftener I feel fear now that my eyes
are open, and I have nothing to lose, than formerly, when
no one had more to lose than I. I am poor compared with
what I was, Phryxus ; but Cambyses lets me end my days

1 This answer was given, to Candanles, who murdered King Gygea,
and seized the Lydian throne.

THE FLIGHT OF PHANES. 97

as a king, and I can still give yon a talent 1 for your
building.”

Phryxus thanked him ; and Plianes said, 4 ‘The Alcmseo-
nidse will produce a splendid building, for they are ambi-
tious, rich, and desirous of winning the favour of the
Amphictyons, in order to overthrow with their help the
tyrant, to surpass my race, and to possess themselves of
the government.”

“ You did most to increase the prosperity of this family,
I hear, Croesus,” said Ibycus, “ not counting Agariste , 2 who
brought Megacles great wealth.”

“ Certainly, certainly,” laughed Croesus.

“ Tell us how it happened,” said Rhodopis.

“Alcmteon of Athens came to my court. I liked the
cheerful, refined man, and kept him with me for some
time. One day I showed him my treasury, and he was
actually driven to despair by my wealth. He called him-
self a miserable beggar, and pictured what a happy life
he could lead if he might plunge his hands but once in
these splendours. I allowed him to take as much gold as
he could carry. What do you think he did ? He put on
very high Lydian riding-boots and an apron, and had a
basket fastened on his back. He filled it with treasure,
heaped up as much gold in the apron as he could carry,
filled his boots with gold coins to the top, sprinkled gold-
dust on his hair and beard, even filled his mouth with gold,
till he looked as if a large radish were choking him. He
took a gold dish in each hand, and, bowed down by his
burden, dragged himself out of the treasure-chamber. He
broke down outside the door. I never laughed so heartily
as I did on that day.’ 1 *

“You let him keep the gold? ” asked Rhodopis.

“ Certainly, my friend. I thought I had not paid too
high a price for the experience that gold can make a fool
even of a wise man.”

“ You were the most generous of princes,” cried Phanes.

“ And am now a tolerably contented beggar. But tell

1 According to Boekh, the Attic talent of silver was worth about
£225 j the mina about £4. Is. 3d r $ the drachma, 9 d . ; and the obolus,

a Agariste was the daughter and heiress of Clisthenes of Sicyon,
and wife of Megacles the Alcmseonide

It

98

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

me, Phryxus, how much did Amasis contribute to the
temple P "

44 He gay© a thousand talents of alum/'

44 I call that a regal gift.’'

44 And the prince ? "

“ When I asked him, and referred to his father's gene-
rosity, he laughed bitterly, and, turning his back upon me,
said : 4 If you like to collect for the destruction of your
temples, I am ready to give twice as much as Amasis.' "

44 Wretched man l "

44 Say, rather, a true Egyptian. Psamtik hates every-
thing that does not belong to this land."

44 How much have the Greeks of Naueratis given P ”

44 Besides the splendid contributions of private indi-
viduals, every district 1 * has given twenty minsc."

44 That is a large sum."

44 Philoinus the Sybarite sent me one thousand drachm do,
which were accompanied by a very curious letter. May I
read it, Ehodopis ? "

44 Certainly," returned Ehodopis. 44 You will see from it
that the drunkard repents of his behaviour the other night."

The Delphian took the little scroll from his pocket, and
read : 44 Philoinus sends word to Phryxus : I am sorry I did
not drink more the other night at Ehodopis' house, for
had I done so I should have been unconscious, and in-
capable of insulting even the tiniest insect. My accursed
moderation is, therefore, to blame that I may no longer
enjoy myself at the best furnished table in all Egypt.

44 At all events I am grateful to Ehodopis for what I
have already enjoyed, and send you, in memory of that
magnificent beef for the sake of which I would like to buy
the Thracian's cook, twelve spits for roasting oxen . 3 Let
them be put in Borne treasure-house at Delphi as a present
from Ehodopis. I myself, as I am a rich man, will give a
thousand drachmse. This gift is to be publicly announced
at the next Pythian games.

1 Herod., ii. 180. This passage may mean that all the Greeks in

Naueratis gave twenty minre together. As this is too little for such an
important town, and too much for each individual, we take for granted
that Herodotus referred to the various districts.

3 Herod., ii. 15, mentions that Ehodopis sent a similar gift to Delphi,

THE FLIGHT OF PHASES. fl9

“ Express my gratitude to that rude fellow, Aristo-
machus of Sparta. He has materially furthered the object
of my visit to Egypt. I came hither in order to have a bad
tooth extracted by that Egyptian dentist 1 who is said to
remove diseased teeth almost painlessly. Aristomachus
rid me of this injured part of my jaws with his fist, and
saved me from the terrible operation which I dreaded.
When I recovered consciousness I found three teeth
knocked out — the bad one and two fairly good ones, which
I could see would later on, perhaps, have caused me much
pain.

“ G-reet Rhodopis and handsome Phanes from me. I
invite you to a banquet at my house in Sybaris this day
next year. We are accustomed to send out our invitations
early because of various little preparations.

“ I am letting my learned slave, Sophotatus, write this
letter in the next room, as I get a cramp in my fingers
merely from seeing others write.”

All the guests laughed loudly, while Rhodopis said : “I
am pleased with the letter, because I see from it that
Philoinus is not a bad man. Brought up as a Sybarite —

“ Pardon me, gentlemen, if I disturb you, and you,
honoured Greek, if I enter your peaceful house uninvited.”
With these words, a man who was unknown to Rhodopis
interrupted the conversation of the guests. “ I am Gyges,
son of Croesus, and it is not for any trifling matter that I
left Sais two hours ago in order to reach this place in
time.”

“ Menon, a seat for our new guest,” cried Rhodopis.
“ You are heartily welcome in my house. You must Test
from your wild, truly Lydian ride.”

“By the dog, Gyges,” said Croesus, giving his hand to
his son, “ I cannot imagine what brings you here so late,
I begged you not to leave Bart j a, who is entrusted to my
care, and yet — . But how strange you look. Has any-
thing happened? Has a misfortune occurred? Speak,
speak ! ”

For a moment Gyges could not answer his father. When

1 Egyptian dentists must have been very skilful. False teetli have
been found in the jaws of mummies.

100

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

he saw the man he loved so dearly, for whose life he had
trembled, sitting well and cheerful at the rich banquet, he
seemed to have lost his speech for the second time. At
length He was able to speak, and answered : “ The gods be
praised, my father, that I see you again, and in safety. Do
not think I left my post at Bartja’s side without good cause.'
I was obliged to force my way into this joyous assembly
like a bird of evil omen. Know, men, for I must lose no
time in preparing you, treachery and danger await you I ”

All sprang to their feet as though struck by lightning.
Aristomachus silently loosened his sword in its sheath, and
Phanes stretched out his arms as though to try whether
they still possessed their former strength.

“ What is it ? What is awaiting us ? ” was asked on all
sides.

“ The house is surrounded by Ethiopian warriors, 1 ” re-
turned G-yges. “A trustworthy man told me that the
prince intended to arrest one of you, and had even given
orders that his victim should be killed if he resisted. I
feared for you, my father, and hastened hither. The man
from whom I heard this, has not deceived me. This house
is surrounded. When I reached the gate of your garden,
Ehodopis, my horse shied in spite of its fatigue. I dis-
mounted, and saw in the moonlight the glittering weapons
and flaming eyes of men concealed behind every bush.
They allowed us to enter the garden undisturbed.”

“ An urgent communication,” interrupted Cnacias, rush-
ing into the room. “ When I went to the Nile to fetch
water for the wine-bowl, a man rushed towards me, and
nearly knocked me down, I soon recognized him. It was
an Ethiopian rower of Phanes, who told me hurriedly
that he had sprung from the boat to bathe in the Nile,
when a royal barge was laid alongside of Phanes’ boat, and
a soldier asked the crew whom they served. * Phanes/
answered the steersman. The royal boat went on without
apparently paying any further attention to your vessel;
but the bather had seated himself on the rudder of the
strange bark in jest, and heard one Ethiopian soldier cry
to the other: ‘Watch the boat well; now that we know
where the bird has his nest, it will be easy to catch him.
Remember Psamtik promised ub twenty gold rings if we

THE FLIGHT OF PHANES.

101

brought the Athenian to Sais, alive or dead.’ This is the
report of Sebek, the sailor, who has served you for seven
years, 0 Phanes.”

The Athenian had listened to the story of Gyges and the
slave with great composure.

Rliodopis trembled. Aristomachus cried: “I will not
let them touch a hair of your head, though we should be
forced to destroy all Egypt.” Croesus advised prudence ;
all the guests were greatly agitated.

At last Phanes broke the silence, and said : “ Reflection
is never so necessary as in time of danger. After due
consideration, I see that it is scarcely possible for me to
escape. The Egyptians will try to kill me without attract-
ing attention. They know that early to-morrow I mean to
leave Naucratis for Sigoum in a Phocian trireme, and that
they have no time to lose if they wish to catch me. Your
whole garden is surrounded, Rliodopis. If I remain here,
you may be certain they will not respect your house as an
asylum, but will search it, and take me prisoner here.
There is no doubt that the Phocian ship which was to take
me to my relations is watched, as well as this house. No
blood shall be shed for me unnecessarily.”

“ You must not give yourself up ! ” cried Aristomachus.

“I have it,” suddenly cried Theopompus, the Milesian
merchant. “ A ship, which I have loaded with Egyptian
corn, sails to-morrow at sunrise, not from Naucratis but
from Canopus, to Miletus. Take the noble Persian’s horse
and ride thither. We will force a way for you through
the gardens.”

“ Our unarmed party would not suffice to carry out such
a bold stroke,” returned Gyges, “ There are ten of us, of
whom only three possess swords; they number at least a
hundred, and are armed to the teeth.”

“ If you, Lydian, were ten times deficient in courage, and
if they were two hundred,” cried Aristomachus, “ I should
fight.”

Phanes pressed his friend’s hand. Gyges turned pale.
The tried hero had called him a coward ! Again words
failed him to defend himself. Every mental excitement
seemed to paralyse his tongue. Suddenly he coloured, and
cried quickly and decidedly : “ Eollow me, Athenian.

102

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

Spartan, you usually weigh your words before you speak.
Henceforth call no one a coward whom you do not know,
"Friends, Phanes is saved. Farewell, my father.”

The remaining guests looked after the men with amaze-
ment. Soon after they had disappeared, the listeners heard
two horses gallop away, and then, after a longer pause,
they distinguished a prolonged whistle and cries for help
from the Nile.

“ Where is Cnacias ? ” asked Ehodopis of one of her
slaves.

“ He went into the garden with Phanes and the Persian.”
At that moment the old servant entered the room trembling
and pale.

“Have you seen my son?” Croesus cried. “ Where is
Phanes ? ”

“ Both send you their farewell greetings through me.”

“ Then they have left ? How did they escape ? Whither
have they gone ?”

“ At first the Persian and Athenian had a short discus-
sion in the next room. Then I had to unrobe them.
Phanes put on the trousers, coat, and belt of the Persian,
and placed his pointed cap on his curls ; the Persian wrapped
himself in the chiton and cloak of the Athenian, put his
gold circlet on his brow, let the hair be cut from his upper
Up, and hade me follow him to the garden.

“ Phanes, whom every one would have taken for a Per-
sian in his new dress, sprang on the back of a horse that
waited by the gate. The stranger kept shouting to him :

4 Farewell, Gyges, farewell dear Persian ; a pleasant journey,
Gyges.’ The servant who was waiting at the door, fol-
lowed him. I heard the clash of weapons in all the bushes,
but no one stopped the fugitive Athenian. The hidden
warriors evidently thought him a Persian.

“ When we again stood before the house, the stranger
said to me : * Now take me to Phanes’ boat and continue to
call me by the Athenian’s name.’ 4 But the sailors might
easily betray you,’ I objected. ‘ Then go to them alone,
and bid them receive me as though I were their master,
Phanes.’

“ I begged him to allow me to be captured in the fugi-
tive's dress in his place. He refused decidedly, and he

THE FLIGHT OF P HANES

103

was in the right when he said my carriage might easily
betray me. Alas ! only the freeman walks straight and up-
right. The slave’s neck is always bent, his movements
want the grace which yon nobles acquire in schools and
gymnasiums. So it will always be, for our children must
resemble their fathers. No rose comes from the common
onion, no hyacinth from the grey radish. Service bows
the neck, while the consciousness -of freedom causes men to
walk erect.”

#< What became of my son? ” interrupted Croesus.

“ He would not accept my poor sacrifice. He bade me
greet you a thousand times, 0 king, and entered the boat.

I called after him : ‘ Farewell Phanes ; a pleasant journey,
Phanes.’ A cloud hid the moon. It had become very
dark. Suddenly I heard screams and cries for help, and
at last I heard the even stroke of the oars. I was about
to return to the house and tell you what had happened,
when Sebek the sailor again swam ashore. He reported as
follows: ‘The Egyptians had pierced Phanes’ boat, pro-
bably by means of divers, and as soon as they had reached
the middle of the stream she sank. The sailors called for
help. The royal boat, which had followed them, took the
pretended Phanes on board, as though to save him, and
prevented the rest of the Athenian’s sailors from leaving
their benches. They all sank with their boat, only Sebek,
the bold swimmer, reached the shore. Gyges is in the
royal barge. Phanes has escaped. The whistle must have
been meant for the soldiers at the back gate. When I ex-
amined the bushes by the roadside, before I entered, I
found no one hidden there, but I heard the clashing of
weapons and voices of warriors on the road to Sais.’ ”

The guests of Rhodopis had listened to the slave’s story
with feverish excitement. When he had finished, they
experienced very mixed sensations. The first feeling of
the majority was joy at the escape of a loved friend from
a threatened danger, but then came a fear for the brave
Lydian, His generosity was praised, the father of such a
son was congratulated, and finally they agreed that as soon
as the prince discovered his mistake, he would not only he
obliged to release Gyges at once, but he would be bound
to give him satisfaction.

104

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

Crcesus consoled himself with the thought of Amasis’
friendship, and his evident dread of the Persian power.
Soon after this he left Rhodopis 7 house to spend the night
with the Milesian Theopompus.

“ Greet Gyges from me / 7 cried Aristomachus, when the
old man took his leave. “ I beg his pardon, and send him
word that I should like to have him for my friend, but if
that may not be, I should like to meet him as an honoured
foe on the battlefield . 77

"Who knows what the future may bring , 77 returned
Croesus, giving the Spartan his hand.

CHAPTER DC.

FIRST LOVE.

A NEW day had dawned on Egypt. The heavy dev/,
which takes the place of rain on the Nile, lay like
emeralds and diamonds on the leaves and blossoms. The
sun was still low down in the east, and the morning air,
cooled by a fresh north-west wind, invited one into the
open air before the oppressive heat of midday.

Two female figures, the old slave Melitta and Sappho,
Rhodopis’ grandchild, came out of the house.

The lovely girl ran and walked through the garden
with light step. She was as lovely and maidenly as in her
sleep. A mischievous expression played round her rosy
mouth and the dimples in chin and cheek. Her thick
brown hair peeped from under the red handkerchief on her
head, and her light, white morning dress with wide sleeves,
fell loosely about her active figure.

Now she stooped, picked a young rosebud, and sprinkled
the dew which lay on it in her old nurse’s face, laughed
loudly at her piece of mischief, fastened the rose in her
bosom, and began to sing in a remarkably full and pleasant
voice.

Cupid once upon a bed
Of roses laid his weary head ;
Luckless urchin, not to see
Within the leaves a slumbering bw>.

The bee awaked with anger wild,
The bee awaked, and stung the child,
loud and piteous are his cries;

To Venus quick he runs, he flies 1

106

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

“ 0 mother ! I son wounded through,

I die with pain, in sooth I do !

Stung by some angry little thing,

Some serpent on a tiny wing.

A bee it was, for once I know
I heard a rustic call it so.” 1

“ Is not my song pretty ? ” said the laughing girl.
“How silly little Eros is to mistake a bee for a winged
snake. Grandmother says she knows another verse of this
song which was composed by the great poet Anacreon, but
she will not teach it to me yet. Tell me, Melitta, what do
you think the verse is about. You smile. My dear, dear
Melitta, sing the little verse to me. Or do you not know
it? Ho? Well then, of course you cannot teach it to
me.”

“ It is quite a new song,” returned the old woman, re-
sisting her darling’s importunities ; “ and I only know the
songs of the good old times. But what is that ? Did you
not hear a knock at the gate ? ”

“Yes, and I thought I heard a horse’s hoof on the road.
There is another knock — see who it is seeks admission so
early. Perhaps it is our good Phanes, who did not leave
yesterday after all, and has come to bid us farewell again.”

“ Phanes has gone,” returned the old woman, growing
more serious. “ Rhodopis bade me send you to the house if
visitors came. Go, girl, that I may open the gate. There
is another knock ! ” Sappho pretended to run to the house,
but instead of obeying her nurse, she hid behind a rose-
bush, to see who the early visitor was. The events of the
preceding evening had been kept secret from her in order
to prevent her feeling anxious, and Sappho was accus-
tomed to see none but the most intimate friends of her
grandmother at that early hour.

1 Prom the * c Odes of Anacreon,” translated by Thomas Moore. The
last rerse, which contains the point of the poem, runs as follows : —

Thus he spake, and she the while
Heard him with a soothing smile ;

Then said ; “ My infant, if so much
Thou feel the little wild bee’s touch,

How must the heart, ah Cupid ! be,

The hapless heart that’s Btung by thee ?

TIBST LOVJC. 107

Melitta opened the gate of the garden, and soon afteT
admitted a fair-haired, richly-dressed youth.

Sappho, surprised at the strange dress and great beauty
of the Persian prince — for he it was who visited them
thus early — did not move, and could not turn her eyes
from his face. It was thus that she had always pictured
to herself bright-haired Apollo, the charioteer of the sun,
and the leader of the muses.

Melitta and the stranger approached her hiding-place,
and she pushed forward her little head between the rosea
so that she might better understand the youth who was
speaking pleasantly to the slave in broken Greek.

Now she heard him ask, with some eagerness, after
Croesus and his son. Then, for the first time, she heard
from the old woman all that had happened the evening be-
fore. She trembled for Phanes ; she thanked noble Gyges
in her heart ; she wondered who this regally-dressed youth
could be. She had, it is true, heard from Bhodopis of the
heroic deeds of Cyrus, of the fall of Croesus, and the power
and wealth of the Persians ; but till now she had always
thought the Asiatics a wild, uncivilized people. The longer
she looked at Bart j a, the greater grew her interest in the
Persians. When at last Melitta left him to waken hex
grandmother, and announce the early visitor, she wished
to follow her, but Eros, the foolish boy at whose childish
ignorance the girl had scoffed a short time ago, willed it
otherwise. Her dreBs caught in the thorns of the rose-tree,
and before she could get free, the handsome Persian stood
before her, and helped the deeply- blushing girl to dis-
entangle it from the treacherous bush. Sappho could not
utter a word of thanks, but looked down, smiling shyly.

The silence only lasted a short time, for the girl, who
had soon recovered from her fright, suddenly broke out
into a bright, joyous laugh in childish amusement at the
silent stranger, and the peculiarity of their position, and
fled towards tlie house like a startled deer.

The Persian’s usual self-possession returned to him;
with two strides he overtook the girl. Quick as lightning
he seized her hand, and held it in spite of her struggles.

“ Let me go/’ begged Sappho, raising her dark eyes half
in jest, half in earnest.

108

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

“ How can I ? ” he returned. “ I plucked you from the
rose- busk, and must keep hold of you till you give me in
your stead your sister upon your bosom as a keepsake in
my distant home.”

“ Please let me go,” repeated Sappho. ** I cannot bar-
gain with you till you let go my hand.”

“ But you will not run away if I grant your request ? ”

“ Certainly not ! ”

“ Well, then, I will give you your freedom, but now you
must give me your rose.”

“ There are far lovelier ones on the bush yonder. Pick
one of those. Why do you want to have just this one ? ”

“ In order to keep it carefully, in memory of the loveliest
maiden I have ever seen.”

“ How I shall not give you the rose at all, for whoever
says I am beautiful wishes me ill, but whoever says I am
good wishes me well.”

“ Who told you that ? ”

“ My grandmother, Bhodopis.”

u Well, then, I will tell you you are the best girl in the
world.”

“ How can you say such things, when you do not know
me at all P Sometimes I am very naughty and disobedient.
If I were good, I should go back to the house, as- I ought
to, instead of chattering to you. Grandmother has strictly
forbidden me to stay in the garden when strangers are
there ; and I really do not care at all about all those men
who always talk of things I cannot understand.”

“ Then I suppose you would like me to go away ? ”

“ 0, no, for I understand you very well, though you do
not talk as beautifully as Ibycus, for example, or poor
Phanes, who, as I only just heard from Melitta, was forced
to fly so hastily.”

u Did you love him ? ”

“ Love ! 0 yes, I liked him very much. When I was
a little girl, he always brought me balls, dolls, and ninepins
from Sais and Memphis, when I grew up, he taught me
pretty new songs, and for a farewell gift, he brought me a
tiny little Sicilian lapdog, which I shall call Argos, because
it is so swift-footed and white ; 1 but in a few days we shall
1 This was the name of Odysseus’ dog.

FIRST LOVE.

109

receive quite another present from our good Phanes for —
there, you see what I am. I nearly told you a great secret.
Grandmother strictly forbade me to tell anyone what dear
little guests we are expecting ; but it seems to me as if we
had known each other for a long while, and your eyes are
so good that I should like to tell you everything. You
see, besides grandmother and old Melitta, I have no one in
the world to whom I can tell what pleases me, and, I don't
know why it is, sometimes they cannot understand why
some beautiful thing or other should give me so much
pleasure, though they love me so dearly/'

“ That is because they are old, and can no longer under-
stand the gladness of a young heart. Have you no com-
panions of your own age, whom you love ? "

“Not one. There are certainly many other girls in
Naucratis, but grandmother says I must not seek to be in-
timate with them, and because they would not come to us,
I was not allowed to go to them."

“ Poor child ! if you were in Persia, I would soon find
you a friend. I have a sister, called Atossa, who is as
young, beautiful and good as you are."

“ What a pity she chd not come with you. But now you
must tell me what I am to call you ?"

“I am called Bart j a."

“ Bart j a, what a strange word ! Bartja, Bart j a. Do you
know, I like the name very much. What is the name of
that brave son of Croesus, who so nobly saved our
Phanes?"

“ He is called Gyges. Darius, Zopyrus and he are my
best friends. We swore to each other never to part, and
to sacrifice our life-blood for each other. Therefore I has-
tened hither secretly, early this morning, in spite of their
eager entreaties, to help my Gyges in case he needed
help."

“ But you have ridden in vain ?"

“ No, by Mithra, that is not so, for I found you in my
ride. But now you must tell me, what I am to call you.”

“ My name is Sappho."

“ A beautiful name. Are you related to the poet who
wrote those fine songs Gyges sings to me?"

“ Certainly ; the tenth muse or the Lesbian swan, as they

110

JUS" EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

call tlie older Sappho, was the sister of my grandfather
Charaxus. I suppose your friend Gyges knows Greek
better than you do r ”

“ As a child he learnt Greek as well as Lydian, and he
speaks both languages equally well. He also knows Per-
sian perfectly, and, what is better still, he has acquired all
the virtues of the Persians.”

“ What do you consider the greatest virtues ? ”

“Truthfulness is the first of all, the second is courage,
the third is obedience. These three, joined to reverence
for the gods, have made us Persians great.”

“ But I thought you had no gods ? ”

“ Foolish child! who could exist without gods, who would
wish to exist without a guide ? It is true we do not believe
that our gods live in houses and pictures as you do. All
things created form their dwelling. The deity who must be
everywhere, and must see and hear everything, cannot be
shut up behind walls.”

“ But if you have no temples where do you pray and
sacrifice?”

“ On the greatest of altars ; in the midst of nature, or
best of all, on the summits of the mountains. There we
are nearest to our Mithra, the great sun, and Auramazda,
the pure, creating light. There darkness comes last, there
light dawns first. Only light is pure and good, darkness
is black and evil. Yes, girl, the deity is nearest to us on
the mountains, there he likes to dwell. Have you never
stood on the wooded summit of a lofty mountain and felt
the soft, mysterious breath of the deity in the solemn
silence of nature ? Have you never thrown yourself down
in the green wood, by pure springs, under the wide vault
of heaven and listened to the voice of the god, who spoke
from the heavens and the waters ? Have you never seen
how the flame rises up irresistibly to its father, the sun,
and in the smoke that ascends to heaven bears your prayer
to the great, shining creator? You listen to me with sur-
prise, but I assure you, you would kneel down with me
and pray if I could lead you to an altar on the summit
of the mountains.”

“0 that I could go with you, that one day I could look
down from a mountain on all the villages and rivers, woods,

FIBST LOVE.

Ill

and fields ! I think that np there, where nothing can hide
from my glance, I should feel as if I myself were the all-
seeing deity. But what was that ? Grandmother calls. I
must go.”

44 Do not leave me, maiden.”

“ Obedience is also a Persian virtue.”

44 And my rose ? ”

“ Here it is.”

“ Will you remember me ? ”

44 Can I do otherwise ? ”

44 Dear maid, forgive me if I ask another favour of you.”

41 Quick, quick. Grandmother is calling again.”

44 Take this diamond star in memory of this hour.”

44 1 cannot.”

44 Please take it. My father gave it me as a reward
the first time I killed a bear. It was till now my dearest
treasure, but you shall have it, for now I know nothing
dearer than you.”

The youth took the chain and star from his breast, and
tried to put it round the girl’s neck. Sappho j^fused to
accept the costly gift, but Bartja put his arm round h^r,
kissed her forehead, called her 44 his only love,” put the'
jewel round her neck with kind force and looked deep into
the dark eyes of the trembling child.

Rhodopis called for the third time. Sappho freed her-
self from the prince’s arms, and was about to fly, but she
turned again at the prince’s entreaty, and answered his
question : 44 When may I see you again ? ” with the whis-
pered words : 44 Early to-morrow, by that rosebush.”

44 Which was my ally, and kept hold of you.”

Sappho hurried to the house. Rhodopis received Bartja,
and told him what she knew of his friend’s fate.

The young Persian at once rode back to Sais.

When that evening Rhodopis came as usnal to her grand-
daughter’s bedside, she did not find her sleeping like a
child, for her lips moved, and she sighed deeply and sadly,
as though troubled by dreams.

Bartja, on his way from Naucratis to Sais, met his
friends Darius and Zopyrus, who had followed him as soon
as they discovered his secret departure. They had no idea
that he had found the happiness of first-love, instead of

112

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

the dangers he expected. Croesus reached Sais a short
time before the three friends. He at once went to the
Mng, and told him truthfully and without reserve all
that had taken place the previous evening.

Amasis expressed surprise at his son’s behaviour, assured
his friend that G-yges should at once be set at liberty, and
gave vent to mocking words and jests at the failure of
Psamtik’s revenge.

Croesus had scarcely left him when the prince was
announced.

CHAPTER X.

psamtik’s threat.

A MASIS received his son with loud laughter, and cried,
without noticing his pale, disturbed face : “ Did I not
tell you that it was no easy thing for a simple Egyptian to
catch the subtlest of all Greek foxes ? I would have given
ten towns of my kingdom if I could have been present
when the sweet-tongued Athenian turned out to be the
stammering Lydian.”

Psamtik became still paler. He trembled with rage, and
returned, in a suppressed voice : “ It is not well, my father,
that you rejoice at the insult offered to your son. Were it
not for Cambyses’ sake, by the eternal gods, the insolent
Lydian would this day have seen the light of the sun for
the last time. Hut what is it to you if I, your son, become
a butt for the contempt of these G-reek beggars ! ”

“Do not abuse those who have shown that they were
cleverer than you.”

“ Cleverer, cleverer ! My plan was so ingeniously and

subtly arranged that ”

“ The most delicate webs are easiest tom.”

“ That the Greek intriguer could not have escaped me
if, contrary to all precedent, the ambassador of a foreign
power had not made himself the preserver of a man con-
demned to death by us.”

“ You are mistaken, my son. It is not the execution of
a judicial sentence, but the success or failure of a personal
vengeance that is at stake.”

“The instruments of this vengeance were the king's
officials, and therefore the legist I can desire of you is that
you ask the King of Persia to punish the man who, unasked,
interfered with the execution of your command. Such a

i

114

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

crime will be appreciated at its true value in Persia, where
all bow before the will of the king as before a deity,
Cambyses owes it to ns to punish G-yges.”

“ I shall certainly not ask this, for I confess I rejoice at
Phanes’ safety. G-vges has saved me from the reproach of
shedding innocent blood, and has prevented you from
taking cruel revenge on a man to whom your father is
indebted.”

“ Then you will conceal the whole incident from Cam-
byses ? ”

“ No, I will tell it him, jestingly, in a letter, as is my
way ; and at the same time I will warn him as to Phanes.
I will prepare him lest the Athenian, after escaping with
difficulty from our vengeance, strive to stir up the might of
the Persians against Egypt. And I will entreat my son-
in-law to turn a deaf ear to the slanderer. The friendship
of Croesus and G-yges concerns us more than the hate of
Phanes.”

“ Is that your last word ? You will not grant me satis-
faction? ”

“ No ; it shall be as I said.”

“ Then do not fear Phanes alone, but also another man,
who is in our power, and who has you in his power.”

“ You intend to threaten me, and break the bond which
united us but yesterday. Psamtik, Psamtik, I advise
you to consider that you stand before your king and
father.”

“ Do you remember that I am your son ; for if you again
force me to forget that the gods made you my father, and I
•find that I can expect no help from you, then I shall know
how to fight with my own weapons.”

“I feel curious to hear what they are.”

11 1 need not conceal them from you. You must know
that I and my friends, the priests, have the oculist, Neben-
chari, in our power.”

Amasis turned pale.

“ Before you could guess that Cambyses would woo your
daughter, you sent this man to distant Persia, in order to
remove from Egypt one who was privy to the descent of
my reputed sister, Nitetis. He lives there, and, at the
slightest sign from the priests, he will tell the deceived

psamtik’s threat.

115

king that, in place of your daughter, you dared send him
the daughter of your dethroned predecessor, Hophra. All
the papers of the physician are in our possession. The most
important is a letter in your own handwriting, promising
one thousand gold rings to his father, if he would conceal
from the priests that Nitetis was descended from another
house than yours.”

“ Who has these papers ? ”

“ The priests.”

“ They speak through your mouth ? ”

“ You have said it.”

“ Repeat what you desire.”

“ Ask Camhyses to punish G-yges, and give me full
power to persecute the fugitive Phanes as I think good.”

“ Is that all ? ”

“ Swear to the priests that henceforth you will refuse to
allow the Greeks to raise new temples to their false gods
in Egypt, and that you will stop the building of the temple
of Apollo at Memphis.”

“ I expected similar demands. You have found a sharp
weapon against me. I am prepared to accede to the wishes
of my foes, whom you have joined; but I also must make
two conditions. Firstly, I must have back the letter which
I was imprudent enough to write to Nebenchari’s father.
If I left it in your hands, instead of remaining your king I
should become the miserable slave of wretched priestly
plots.”

“Your wish is just. You shall receive the letter
if ”

“No second ‘if.* You must know that I think your
other wish — that Cambyses should be asked to punish
Gyges — so foolish that I shall not grant it. Now leave
me, and do not come again till I send for you. Yesterday
I gained a son, only to lose him again to-day. Rise ; I de-
sire no signs of a humility and love you never knew. If
you need consolation or advice, turn to the priests, and see
if they will take the place of your father. Tell Neitliotep,
in whose hands you are soft wax, that he has found the right
way to force concessions from me, which I should otherwise
have denied him. In order to keep Egypt great, I have till
no w been willing to make every personal sacrifice ; but since

11 6

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

I see that the priests do not fear to accuse me of betraying
my country, in order to gain their own ends, I may easily be
brought to look on this privileged caste as more dangerous
enemies to my realm than even the Persians. Beware,
beware ! This time I yield to my enemies’ cunning, for
my paternal weakness has conjured up a danger over
Egypt. But in future, I swear by great Keith, my mis-
tress, I will prove that I am king, and that I would rather
sacrifice the whole priesthood than the smallest portion
of my will. Be silent ! Leave me!”

The prince went away. This time a longer period
elapsed before the king could go to his guests, outwardly

gay.

Psamtik went at once to the commander of the native
troops, and ordered him to banish the Egyptian captain —
the unskilful instrument of his baffled vengeance — to the
stone quarries of the Thebais, and to send the Ethiopian
warriors home. Then he went to the chief priest of Keith,
to tell him what concessions he had forced from the
king.

Keithotep shook his head doubtfully on hearing Amasis’
threat, and sent away the prince, after bestowing on
him the exhortations without which he never dismissed
him.

Psamtik went home. The failure of his revenge, the
fatal quarrel with his father, his fear of the stranger’s
scorn, the feeling of dependence on the will of the priests,
the belief in a dread fate which had threatened him
since birth — all this weighed on his heart and clouded
his mind.

A beautiful wife and five blooming children had been
his, but nothing was left him but a daughter and a little
boy, whom he loved deeply. He now felt drawn to
him, and hoped to find consolation and new courage in his
presence. The blue eyes and laughing mouth of his son
were the only things that could warm his cold heart.

“ Where is my son F ” he asked the first courtier whom
he met.

“ The king has just sent for Prince Hecho and his nurse/’
returned the servant.

The steward of the prince approached, and, bowing low,

psamtik’s t tire at. _ 117

handed him a sealed letter written on papyrus, and said :
“ From your father, the king.”

Psamtik in angry haste broke the yellow seal 1 which
bore the name of the king, and read: “ I have sent for your
son, so that he may not, like you, grow up the blind tool of
the priests, and forget what he owes to himself and his
country. I will attend to his education, for the impres-
sions of childhood influence the whole future life. If you
wish to see Necho, I have no objection; but you must first
send me word.”

The prince bit his lips till they bled, in order to hide
his anger from the servants round him. According to
Egyptian custom, the wish of his father and king was as
binding as the strictest command. For a few minutes he
reflected in silence ; then he called for hunters, dogs, bows,
and lances, sprang into a light chariot, and was driven by
the charioteer into the marshlands in the west, to forget
his troubles in the pursuit of the inhabitants of the wilder-
ness, and to vent his anger on animals instead of on his
escaped foes.

G-y ges was set at liberty directly after his father's inter-
view with Amasis, and was received with shouts of joy by
his companions. Pharaoh seemed anxious to compensate
his friend’s son for his imprisonment by increased kindness ;
for on the same day he gave him a splendid chariot drawn
by two noble brown horses, and begged him to take to
Persia a skilfully carved game of draughts, in memory of
Sais. The men were of ivory and ebony, inlaid in gold
and silver with sententious sayings in hieroglyphics.

Amasis and his guests laughed heartily at Gyges’ strata-
gem. The young heroes were allowed to associate freely
with the king’s family, and Amasis treated them as a
cheerful father treats his lively sons. But at meal-time his
Egyptian nature asserted itself. The Persians had to eat
at a separate table. He would, according to the belief of
his ancestors, have been polluted if he had taken his meals
at the same table as the strangers.

When, three days after Gyges’ liberation, Amasis de-

1 The Egyptians wore seal rings at a very early date. In Genesis
xli. 42, we are told that Pharaoh gave his ring to Joseph. Bings have
been found on the hands of mummies.

118

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

dared that in two weeks his daughter Kitetis would he
ready to leave for Asia, the Persians grieved that they were
to stay in Egypt no longer.

Croesus liked to associate with the Samian poets and
sculptors. Gyges shared his father’s love for the Greek
artists. One evening, Darius, who already in Babylon had
occupied himself with astrology, was looking at the stars,
when, strange to say, he was addressed by the grey -haired
chief priest of Keith, who invited him to follow him to the
highest pylon, the chief observatory of the temple. The
eager youth did not wait for a second invitation, and
every night he listened to the old man’s teaching and
acquired new knowledge.

Psamtik once met the stranger with his master, and,
when Darius had gone, asked Neitliotep how it was that he
initiated the stranger into Egyptian secrets.

“ I teach him,” returned the chief priest, “ things which
every learned Chaldsean in Babylon knows as well as we
do ; and thus I gain the friendship of a man whose stars
outshine those of Cambyses as the sun does the moon. I
tell you, one day Darius will become a mighty ruler. I
have seen his stars shine over Egypt. A wise man must
not live in the present only, he must also look towards the
future, and study not only his path, but also its surround-
ings. When you pass a house, you cannot tell whether your
future benefactor is not being educated there. Leave
nothing unnoticed that stands in your path ; but, above
all, look up at the heavens. As the sleepless dog watches
for thieves at night, so have I watched for fifty years the
wanderers of heaven, the everlasting prophets of fate, that
bum in the aether, and determine for man in advance,
morning and evening, summer and winter, sorrow and joy,
fame and dishonour. They are infallible, and they have
shown me that Darius is a plant which will develop into a
lofty tree.”

These midnight studies of his friend were very agreeable
to Bartja, for Darius slept longer than usual in consequence
of them, and the prince had less difficulty in undertaking
his secret journeys to Naucratis, whither he was accom-
panied by Zopyrus, whom he had made his confidant.

psamtik's threat.

119

While lie was engaged with Sappho, his friend and the
servants tried to catch a few jerboas, snipes, pelicans, or
jackals. On their return they would assure their mentor,
Croesus, that during their expedition they had occupied
the time with the chase, the favourite pastime of Persian
nobles.

No one noticed the change that first love had wrought
in the inmost soul of the prince, save Tachot, daughter of
Atuasis. Since the first day that Bart j a spoke to her,
she had felt a passionate love for the handsome youth.
With all the sensitiveness of love, she felt at once that
something had come between them. At first Bart j a
had treated her like a brother, and sought her presence ;
now he carefully avoided approaching her familiarly.
He guessed her secret, and thought it would be a crime
against his love to Sappho even to look at her with
kindness.

The p'oor princess grieved at the youth’s coldness, and
made a confidant of Nitetis, who encouraged her, and they
built castles in the air together. Both girls imagined how
splendid it would be if they married the two royal brothers,
so that they need not part, and could live at one court.
Day after day passed, and the handsome prince visited
the girls more and more rarely, and when he came, he
treated Tachot with cold formality.

In spite of this, the poor girl was obliged to confess that
Bartja, during his stay in Egypt, had become handsomer
and more manly. A proud and yet gentle conscious-
ness of his own power shone in his large eyes ; and, instead
of his former youthful boldness, a peculiar dreamy calm
penetrated his whole being. His rosy cheeks had lost their
colour, but that became him well — better than the girl,
who, like him, grew paler every day.

Melitta, Rhodopis’ old slave, had become the protector
of the lovers. She had surprised Bartja and Sappho one
morning, and received such rich bribes from the prince,
and was so entirely won by his beauty, and so eagerly
entreated and sweetly flattered by her darling, that she
promised not to tell her mistress, and at last yielded to
the impulse of old women to favour young lovers, and

120

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

helped them to meet in every possible way. She already
saw “ her sweet little daughter ” ruler of half the world.
She called her “queen” and “princess” when they were
alone ; and in moments of weakness she fancied herself a
richly dressed dignitary of the Persian court.

CHAPTER XL

A LOVE SCENE.

T HREE days before the time appointed for Nitetis'
departure, Rhodopis had invited a large number of
guests to Naucratis, among them Croesus and Gyges.

During the feast the two lovers, protected by night and
the old slave, were to meet in the garden. When Melitta
had satisfied herself that all were engaged in conversation
she opened the gate, admitted the prince into the garden*
and led him to his love. Then she went away, to warn them
of any listener by clapping her hands.

“I shall have you near me only three days longer,”
whispered Sappho. “ Do you know, sometimes it seems to
me as if I had seen you yesterday for the first time ; but
generally I think you have belonged to me for ages, anil
that I have loved you as long as I have lived.”

“ I also think that you have been mine all my life, for
I cannot imagine that I once existed without you. How
I would that our separation were over,”

# “ Believe me, it will pass far quicker than yon think. It
will seem very, very long while we wait; but when we are
together again, I think it will seem as if we had but just
hidden each other farewell. You see it has boon so with
me every day. How I have longed for the morning for
your sake ; but when it came, and you sat by my side, I
thought I had never parted from you, and your hand
lay on my head since yesterday.”

"And yet a fear I never knew before comes over me
when I think of the hour of parting/*

"I do not fear it much. Certainly, my heart will
bleed when you bid me farewell ; but I know you will re-

122

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS,

turn soon, and will not forget me. Melitta wanted to ask
the oracle if yon wonld remain true to me. She also wanted
to go to an old woman who has just come from Phrygia,
and can prophesy at night by means of ropes. For
the sake of purification she wants incense, stvrax, moon-
shaped cakes, and leaves from wild thornbushes. But I
forbade it, for my heart knows better than Pythia, ropes,
and sacrificial smoke that you will remain true to me, and
always love me.”

“ Your trust does not deceive you.”

44 But I was not quite free from anxiety, for, after the
fashion of girls, I blew a hundred times at least on a
poppy leaf, and struck it. When it popped, I rejoiced,
and said : * He will not forget you ; ’ when it tore without
a sound, I was sad. But then it nearly always gave
the longed-for sound, and I could be happy more often
than sad.”

44 And so it shall always be.”

44 Yes, so it must always be. But speak more softly, my
beloved, lest Onacias, who is going to the Nile to fetch
water, notice us.”

44 Yes, I will speak more softly — so ! How I will push
back your silken hair, and whisper in your ear : 4 1 love you,
dear ! 5 You understand me ? ”

44 My grandmother says it is easy to understand what
you wish to hear; but had you whispered in my ear
just now : 4 1 hate you,' yet would your look have told
me that you love me. The eye’s dumb mouth is far
more eloquent than all the voices in the whole wide
world.”

44 1 would I could speak, like you, the lovely language of
the Greeks!”

4 4 Oh, I am glad you cannot speak it better, for if you
could tell me all you feel, I think you would look into my
eyes less tenderly. What are words ? Do you hear the
nightingale yonder P The gift of speech has not fallen to
her lot, and yet I understand her well.”

4< Confide it to me. I would like to know what Bulbul,
as we call the nightingale, is saying to her lover in the
roses. May you betray to me what the bird says P ”

4< I’ll teli it in a whisper. Philomele sings to her hus-

A LOVE SCENE.

123

baud : ‘ I love you ; * and his answer is, listen ; ‘ Itys, ito,
itys/ ” 1 * *

“ And what does ‘ Ito, ito/ mean ? **

“ I accept it, I accept it.”

“ And ‘ itys 5 P ”

“ That needs an ingenious explanation. 4 Itys ’ is a circle.
The circle means, so I was taught, eternity, for it has no
beginning and no end. Therefore the nightingale cries:
“I accept it, I accept it, for all eternity.”

“ And if I tell you now I love you ? ”

‘‘Then I, like the singer of the night, will answer, re-
joicing: ‘I accept it for to-day, for to-morrow, for eter-
nity! 5 ”

“ Oh, what a night ! In silence all things rest. I do
not even hear the nightingale. Yonder, on the acacia tree,
w T liose clusters of flowers give forth such sweet scent, she
lingers. The tops of the palms are reflected in the Nile.
The image of the moon, like a white swan, shines between
them.”

“ And its rays enchant with silver threads everything that
lives. Therefore the whole world lies in utter silence,
motionless, and like an imprisoned woman. Now, happy
as I am, I could not laugh or speak with a loud voice . 55

“ Then whisper or sing / 5

“ You are right. Give me my lute. Thank you. Now
let me rest my head against your breast, and sing to you a
quiet, peaceful song. Alcmann the Lydian, who resides
at Sparta, composed this song in praise of night. Now
listen, for this song must be whispered softly, softly.
Kiss me no more till I have finished; but then I shall
demand a kiss in gratitude.

c Sleep reigns o’er all the mountain-tops and forces/

And crags and watercourses,

And leaves and creeping things,

Whate’er the rich earth brings.

And mountain beasts withal and swarming bees,

And the great monsters of the deep, dark seas,

1 This is iEsehylus’ interpretation of the song of the nightingale.

The ingenious explanation of ltvq , irw, is a jest which we may surely

let childish Sappho utter.

* Translated by G. Scott, Esq., Merton College.

124

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

And feathered fowl all wrapped in shimber deep,

Must own the power of sleep.’

Now, darling, my kiss.”

“ I forgot tlie kiss in listening, as before kissing made me
forget to listen.”

“ You bad boy ! Is my song not beautiful? ”

“ Beautiful as all you sing.”

“ And as all tbat tbe great Greek poets write.”

“ Herein I agree with you also.”

“ Have you no singers in Persia ? ”

u How can you ask ! Could a nation boast of noble
feelings if it despised song ! ”

“ But you have very bad customs.”

- Well!”

“ You marry many wives.”

“ My Sappho ”

“ Bo not misunderstand me. You see I love you so well
that I wish for nothing save your happiness, and that
I may be able to share your whole existence. If in marry-
ing me alone you violate a custom of your home ; if you
should be despised, or only blamed, because of your
fidelity — for who could despise my Bart j a — then take other
wives beside me. But first let me possess you quite alone
for two or three years. Will you do that, Bart j a ? ”

“ I will.”

“ And then, when my time is over, and you must give
way to the custom of your land — for you will wed no other
wife for love — then let me be your first slave. I have
pictured it all to myself. When you go to war, I shall
put the tiara on your head, gird on your sword, and give
you your lance. When you return as victor, I shall be the
first to crown you. When you ride to the chase, I will put on
your spurs; and when you go to the banquet, I will adorn
and anoint you, make poplar and rose wreaths, and wind
them round your brow and shoulders. If you are wounded,
I will nurse you ; if you are sick, I will not leave your side ;
if you are happy, I will withdraw, and rejoice from afar in
your fame and prosperity. Perhaps then you will call me
to you, and your kiss will say you are content with your
Sappho.”

“ Oh, Sappho, would you were my wife to-day. He who

A LOVE SCENE.

125

possesses a great treasure, as I do in you, will guard it, but
not strive after other treasures which must seem poor
in comparison. He who has loved you will never love
another. It is certainly a custom in my home that a man
has several wives ; but it is merely allowed, it is by no
means a law. My father had, it is true, a hundred slaves,
but only one real, true wife, our mother, Cassandane. ,,

“ Shall I be your Cassandane P ”

“Ho, my Sappho. What you will be to me no wife has
ever yet been to her husband.”

“ When will you come and fetch me ? ”

“ As soon as I can and may.”

“ Well, I will wait patiently.”

“ How shall I receive news of you ? ”

“ I will write you long letters, and send you messages by
all the winds.”

“ Do so, my darling. And as for the letters, give them
to the messenger who from time to time will bring news to
Nitetis from Egypt.”

“ How shall I find him ? ”

“ I will leave a man in Haucratis who will send all you
give him to its destination, I will arrange the rest with
Melitta.”

“We may trust her, for she is clever and faithful. But
I have another friend, who loves me best after you, and
whom I love best after you.”

“ You mean your grandmother, Rhodopis ? ”

“ My faithful guardian and teacher.”

“ She is a noble woman. My father, Croesus, thinks her
the most excellent of women ; and he knows mankind as
well as a physician knows herbs and roots. He knows, in
one lurks a strong poison ; in another, drops which bring
healing. Rhodopis, says Croesus, is like a rose, which gives
forth scent, and oil for the sick and feeble, even when
fading, when leaf after leaf is lost, when it waits in
patience for the wind which must scatter the last petals.”

“ Oh, may she live long ! Dearest, grant me one great
desire.”

“ It is granted before you ask it.”

“ When you take me home, do not leave Rhodopis in
Egypt. Let her follow us. She is so good, and loves me

126

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS,

so tenderly, that she is made happy by all that makes me
happy, and what is dear to my heart will seem to her worthy
of love.”

44 She shall be the first guest in our house.”

“ How good you are ! How I am quite happy and con-
tented. My good old grandmother needs me. She cannot
live without her child. I laugh away her anxieties ; and
when she sits by me and teaches me, when she sings to me,
when she shows me how to use a pencil, to play the lute, then
a purer light comes to her eyes ; all furrows ploughed by
grief become smooth ; her mild eye laughs, and she forgets
many dark days, and enjoys the present with gladness.”

4 4 Before we part, I will ask her if she will follow us to
my distant home.”

4 * Oh, how glad I am ! And do you know that the first
time of parting does not seem so dreadful. Now you are
my lord and master, I suppose I may tell you all that
grieves or gladdens me ; but I must keep silence before
others. You must know, dearest, that when you return
home, we expect two little guests in our home — children of
that good Plianes for whom your friend Gyges did such a
noble deed. I will care for the children as a mother ; and
when they have been good, I will tell them pretty tales of
the king’s son — the brave hero who took a simple maiden for
his wife — and when I describe how the prince, the young
hero, looked, I shall see you distinctly, though the children
will not know. I shall describe you from head to foot.
My hero will rejoice in your tall figure; your golden locks
will adorn him; your blue eyes will shine beneath his
brow ; the royal splendour of your garments will clothe his
magnificent form. Your noble heart, your faithful, up-
right mind, your reverence for the gods, your courage, your
heroism — in fact, all that is loveable and good in you shall
adorn the hero of my song. The children will listen ; and
when they exclaim : 4 Oh, how we love the prince ; how
good and beautiful he is ; would we could see the noble
youth 1 ’ then I shall press them closely to my heart, and I
shall kiss them as I have kissed you ; and then the children’s
wish will be fulfilled, for as you are enthroned in my heart,
you live in me, and will be near to them. When they em-
brace me, they embrace you.”

A LOVE SCENE.

127

“ I shall go to Atossa, my sister, and tell her all that I
saw on my journey. When I praise the grace of the Greeks,
the splendour of their works, the beauty of their women, I
shall describe your beautiful form under the name of golden
Aphrodite. I shall tell her of your virtues, your beauty
and modesty, your singing, which forces even the nightin-
gale to listen, your love, your tenderness. I shall describe
your charms as though they belonged to divine Cypris, and
I will kiss my sister when she cries : “ 0 Aphrodite, would
that I could see you ! ”

“Hark! what was that? My nurse claps her hands.
Farewell, we must part. May we soon meet again.”

“ One more kiss.”

“ Farewell.”

Melitta had fallen asleep at her post, overcome by fatigue
and age. At last a loud noise awoke her from her dreams.
She clapped her hands to warn the lovers and summon
Sappho, for she saw by the stars that morning was not
far distant.

When the old woman approached the house with her
charge, she discovered that the noise which had awakened
her was caused by the guests who were preparing to depart.
She urged Sappho to greater speed, pushed the startled
girl into the house by the back door, led her to her bed-
room, and was just beginning to undress the maiden, .when
Ehodopis entered.

“You are still up, Sappho?” she said. “ What is the
meaning of this, my child ? ” ~ \

Melitta trembled, and was prepared with a He. But
Sappho threw herself on her grandmother’s breast, em-
braced her tenderly, kissed her with intense affection, and
told her, without reserve, the story of her love.

Ehodopis turned pale.

“Leave us,” she said to the slave. Then she stood
before her grandchild, put her hands on her shoulders,
and said : “ Look in my eyes, Sappho. Can you still look
at me as cheerfully, and with the same childlike innocence,
as before the Persian arrived ? ” v

The girl looked np smiling and happy at her grand-
mother. Then Ehodopis drew her to her, kissed her, and

128

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

said : “ Since you grew up I have striven to mate yon a
true maiden, and to keep you from love. I meant soon
to choose a suitable husband for you, to mate you his wife
according to the G-reet custom. But the gods have willed
it otherwise. Eros laughs at all barriers which the hand
of man can raise ; the hot iEolian blood in your veins
demands love; the wild heart of your Lesbian ancestors
beats also in your breast. What is done cannot be un-
done. Preserve the happy hours of your pure, first love,
lite a precious possession, in your memory, for sooner or
later the present of every mortal becomes desolate and
barren, so that he needs such memories to keep him from
pining away. Think, in secret, of the handsome youth, bid
him farewell when he returns home, but beware of expect-
ing to meet him again. The mind of the Persian is un-
stable and changeable, he is tempted by novelty, and wel-
comes all that is strange with open arms. Your charms
pleased the prince. Now he is filled with passion for you,
but he is handsome and young, is wooed on all sides, and
is a Persian. Leave him, lest he renounce you.”

« How can I, grandmother P Have I not pledged him my
troth for all eternity.”

“ You children play with eternity as though it were a
moment. As to your oath, I blame it, but I am glad that
you keep to it, for I hate that wicked proverb which says
that Zeus does not hear the oaths of lovers. Why should
the deity care less for the oath taken by man in reference
to what is holiest in him, than for his affirmation re-
garding trifling matters of property. Keep your promise,
never forget your love, but learn to give up your lover.”

“Never, grandmother. Would Bart j a have been my
friend if I could not have trusted him ? Just because he is
a Persian, who calls truthfulness his best virtue, I may
safely hope that he will remember his oath and, in spite
of the bad custom of the Asiatics, make me his sole
wife.”

“And if he forgets his oath you will mourn away
your youth in wretchedness and with bitterness in your
heart.”

“ 0 dearest grandmother, leave off saying such dreadful
things. If you knew him as I do, you would rejoice with

SAPPHO’S CONFESSION.

129

me, and acknowledge that the Nile may dry up, and tlie
pyramids fall, but Bart j a cannot deceive me.”

The girl said these words with such glad confidence and
such conviction, and her dark, tearful eyes were glowing with
such bliss, that the matron's face again became gracious.
Sappho embraced her once more, and told her every word
her lover had said, ending her long speech with the excla-
mation : “ 0, Grandmother, I am so happy, so happy, and
if you go with us to Persia, there will be nothing left for
me to ask of the Immortals.”

“You will stretch your arms towards them again all too
soon,” sighed "Rhodopis. “ They behold the happiness of
mortals with envy, they deal out evil to us lavishly, but
good with niggard hands. Now go to bed, my child, and
pray with me, that all may end well. I brought my morn-
ing greeting to a child, but I bid good night to a woman.
May you, when a wife, offer me your mouth for a kiss as
gladly as you do now. To-morrow I will speak to Croesus
about you. It will depend on his decision whether I can allow
you to look forward to the Persian’s return, or whether I must
entreat you to forget the prince in order soon to become
the wife of a Greek of my choice. Sleep well, my darling,
sleep calmly ; your old grandmother watches over you.”

Sappho fell asleep, cradled by blissful dreams. Ehodopis
watched the rising sun and bright day with open eyes, now
smiling, now thoughtfully frowning.

Next morning she asked Croesus to spare her an hour.

She told the old man, without any digression, what she
had learnt from Sappho, and ended with the words : “ I do
not know what the Persians require of the wife of a prince,
but I can assure you that Sappho seems to me worthy of
the greatest of kings. She is descended from a free and
noble father, and I have heard that according to your laws
the rank of father alone determines that of the child. In
Egypt, too, the descendants of slaves enjoy equal rights
with those of princesses, if both owe their existence to the
same father.”

“ I have listened to you in silence,” answered Croesus,
“ and I must tell you that, at this moment, I know as little
as you do, whether to rejoice or to grieve over this love.
Cambyses, and Cassandane, the mother of Bartja and the

130

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS,

king, wished the prince to marry before we left. The king
himself has as yet no children. If he should remain child-
less, the hope of continuing the race of his father Cyrus
rests on Bartja, for the great founder of the Persian power
had but two sons, Cambyses and your grandchild’s friend.
The latter is the pride of all the Persians, the darling of
court and country, the hope of all. He is as handsome
a,s he is noble, as virtuous as he is amiable. It is true that
the princes are expected to marry women of their own race,
the Acliaemenidsa ; but the Persians have an unbounded
preference for all that is foreign, and your granddaughter’s
beauty would delight them. Bartja’s love for her would
make them lenient ; they would soon pardon the violation
of an established custom, especially as every act of which
the king approves must be submitted to by his subjects.
Besides, the history of Iran presents many instances even of
slaves who were the mothers of kings. The mother of the
sovereign, who is almost as highly esteemed as he is himself,
will oppose no obstacle to the happiness of her youngest and
favourite son. When she sees that Bartja will not give up
Sappho, when she sees that the bright face, the adored
image of her great husband, grows gloomy, she will yield
to him, so that he may again become happy, even though he
wishes to marry a Scythian. Cambyses, too, if his mother
urges him at the right moment, will not refuse his consent.”

“Why, then, all the difficulties are overcome! ” cried Bho-
dopis, full of joy.

“It is not the marriage, but the time after the marriage
that fills me with anxiety.”

“You think Bartja ”

“ I fear nothing from him. He has a pure heart, and has
so long been a stranger to love that now that it has over-
powered him he will love with warmth and constancy.”

“ But ”

“ But you must consider that though all men receive the
charming wife of their favourite with joy, there are a thou-
sand women idle in the harems of the Persian nobles who
will make it their business to injure the young girl who
has been raised so high, with all conceivable malice and
intrigue, whose greatest pleasure will be to ruin the in-
experienced child and render her unhappy.”

sappho’s cojtfessioh.

131

** You think very ill of the Persian women.”

“They are women, and would envy her who had suc-
ceeded in winning the man whom they had desired either
for themselves or their daughters. Envy easily becomes
hate in the dull rooms of the harem, and these wretched
creatures must seek compensation for the love and liberty
they lack in satisfying their malice. I repeat, the lovelier
Sappho is, the more malicious will be the enmity to which
she will be exposed; and even though Bart j a loved her
dearly and wedded no second wife in the first few years,
she would have to pass through such dreadful hours that
I really do not know whether I can congratulate you on
the apparently brilliant future of your granddaughter.”

“ I feel the same. I would rather have her wed a simple
Greek than this noble son of a great king.”

At this moment Bartja entered the room, led by Cnacias.
He entreated Bhodopis,, not to refuse him her grand-
daughter ; expressed his passionate love for her, and swore
that Bhodopis would increase his happiness if she would
go to Persia with them. Then he seized Croesus’ hand,
asked his pardon for having so long concealed from him,
his fatherly friend, what filled his heart with gladness, and
begged him to assist his wooing.

The old man listened, smiling, to the youth’s passionate
words, and said: “How often, my Bartja, have I warned
you against love. It is a burning fire.”

“ But its flames are bright and shining.”

“ It causes pain.”

“ But the pain is sweet.”

“ It confuses the mind.” *

“ But it strengthens the heart.”

“ Oh, this love ! ” cried Bhodopis* “ Does not this boy,
inspired by Eros, speak as if >all his life he had been taught
by an Attic orator P ”

“ And yet,” answered Croesus, “ I call lovers the worst
of all pupils. You may explain to them as clearly as pos-
sible that their passion is poison, fire, folly, death ; yet, in
spite of all, they wilr exclaim : 4 But it is sweet/ and go on
loving, undismayed.”

At this moment Sappho entered the room. A white
garment with purple-embroidered edges and wide sleeves

132

AN EGYPTIAN PBINCESS.

fell in simple folds round her delicate form, and was
fastened at the waist by a golden girdle. Fresh roses
gleamed in ber hair, and the glittering star — her lover's
first gift — adorned her bosom.

She bowed gracefully, but shyly to the old man, whose
loots rested on her long. The longer he looted into
the beautiful young face, the more friendly grew his ex-
pression. Memories of the past came to him ; for a mo-
ment he almost grew young again. Involuntarily he ap-
proached the girl and lovingly pressed a tiss on her brow,
seized her hand, led her to Bartja, and cried : “ Tate her;
she must be your wife, though all the Achsemenidse con-
spire against us.”

“ Have I nothing to say in the matter P ” asted Rho-
dopis, smiling amidst her tears.

Bartja seized her right hand, Sappho her left, and two
pairs of eyes looted entreatingly in her face. Then she cried,
drawing herself up to her full height, lite a prophetess :
“May Eros, who brought you together, may Zeus and
Apollo, protect you. I see you lite two roses on one stalb,
loving and happy in the spring of life. What summer,
autumn, and winter may bring you, lies hidden in the lap
of the gods. My Sappho, may the shades of your parents
smile happily when these tidings of you come to them in
the Nether World.”

Three days later a large crowd of people again surged
round the landing-place of Sais. The people had collected
to bid a last farewell to the princess, who was going far
away. This hour showed that, in spite of all that the
priests could do, the Egyptians still clung with deep affec-
tion to the royal house.

When Amasis and Ladice embraced Nitetis for the last
time with tears, when Tachot, in the sight of all the people
of Sais, on the great stairs, embraced her sister amid her
sobs, when finally the boat that bore away the royal bride
left the land with swelling sails, few eyes remained dry.

Only the priests looted on at the moving spectacle, cold
and grave as ever.

When at last the ships on which were the strangers and
the Egyptian princess were caught by the south wind, they

sappho’s confession-.

133

were followed bj many oaths and curses. Tachoi long
waved her veil to those who were leaving her. She wept
unceasingly. Were her tears for the companion of her
youth or for the handsome, beloved prince ?

Amasis embraced his wife and daughter before all the
people. He held his grandson, little Necho, high up,
and the crowd broke out into loud acclamations at the
sight of him. Psamtik, the child’s father, stood silent and
dry-eyed beside the king, who did not seem to notice him.
At last ISTeithotep, the chief priest, approached, led the
prince to his father, in spite of his reluctance, put his hand
into the king’s, and loudly called down the blessing of the
gods on the royal house.

While he spoke all the Egyptians knelt with raised
hands. Amasis embraced his son, and whispered to the chief
priest, when he had finished his prayer: “ Let us keep the
peace for our own and Egypt’s sake.”

“ Have you received the letter of Nehenchari ? ”

44 A Samian pirate is pursuing Phanes’ ship.”

“ The daughter of your predecessor, the true heir of the
Egyptian throne, journeys yonder unhindered.”

44 The building of the Greek temple at Memphis shall be
stopped.”

“ Isis grant us peace and happiness. May prosperity
spread over Egypt.”

The Greeks living at Naucratis had prepared a feast in
honour of the daughter of Amasis, their protector, who was
going far away.

Numerous animals were sacrificed on the altars of the
Greek gods ; and when the Nile boats entered the harbour,
a loud “ Ailinos ” arose.

Maidens in festive garments offered to Nitetis a gold
circlet, round which were wound thousands of scented
violets, like a bridal wreath.

As the loveliest maiden in Naucratis, Sappho was allowed
to present it to the princess.

Nitetis accepted the gift, and gratefully kissed her fore-
head. Then she entered the trireme which awaited her.

The rowers began their work, and sang the “ Celeusma.” 1

1 The Greek sailors wore accustomed to row in time to this song.

134

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

Tlie soutli wind swelled the sails, and " Ailinos” was again
uttered "by thousands of voices. Bart] a, from the deck of
the royal ship, waved a last farewell to his betrothed.
Sappho breathed a prayer to Aphrodite Euploia, the
patroness of sailors. A tear bedewed her cheek, but a
smile of hope and love played round her mouth, while the
old slave, Melitta, who carried the girl's sunshade, wept as
if she had lost her senses. But when a few leaves fell by
chance from the wreath worn by her charge, she forgot
her grief for a minute, and whispered softly to Sappho :
“ Ah, sweetheart, it is easy to see you are in love, for all
girls who lose leaves from their wreath have had their
hearts wounded by Eros.”

CHAPTER Xn.

THE ARRIVAL AT BABYLON.

S EVEN weeks later a long line of chariots and riders of
every description wound along the great highway that
led from the west to Babylon, the gigantic city which could
be seen from a long distance.

Nitetis, the Egyptian princess, sat in a gilt four-wheeled
chariot, called a “ Harmamaxa.” 1 The cushions were
covered with gold brocade ; the roof was supported by
wooden columns ; its sides could be closed by means of
curtains.

Her companions, the Persian nobles, the dethroned King
of Lydia and his son, rode by the side of her chariot.
Fifty carriages and six hundred sumpter-horses followed,
and a regiment of Persian soldiers on splendid horses pre-
ceded the procession.

The road lay along the Euphrates, through luxuriant
fields of wheat, barley, and sesame, which yielded two or
even three hundredfold. Slender date palms, with heavy
clusters of fruit, stood in the fields, which were inter-
sected in all directions by canals and conduits. Although
it was winter, the sun shone warm and clear in the cloud-
less sky. . The mighty river was crowded with barges and
boats which brought the produce of the Armenian high-
lands to the Mesopotamian plain, and forwarded to Baby-
lon the greater part of the wares which were brought to
Thapsacus 2 from Greece.

Engines, pumps, and waterwheels poured refreshing
moisture on the fields and plantations along the banks,

1 Asiatic travelling carriages first mentioned in Xenophon’s Anabasis.

* Important commercial town on the Euphrates.

136

A.N EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

which were dotted with, numerous villages. Everything
indicated that the capital of a civilized and well-governed
country was close at hand.

The carriage and suite of Nitetis stopped before a long
building of brick covered with bitumen, by the side of
which grew numerous plane trees. Croesus was helped
from his horse, approached the carriage of the Egyptian
princess, and cried to her: “We have reached the last
station-house. The high tower that stands out against the
horizon is the famous tower of Bel, like your Pyramids,
one of the greatest achievements of mortal hands. Before
the sun sets we shall reach the brazen gates of Babylon.
Permit me to help you from the carriage, and to send your
women to you into the house. To-day you must dress
yourself according to the custom of Persian queens, so that
you may be pleasant in the eyes of Cambyses. In a few
hours you will stand before your husband. How pale you
are ! See that your women skilfully paint joyous excite-
ment on your cheeks. The first impression is often
decisive, and this is the case with your future husband,
more than with anyone else. If, as I do not doubt, you
please him at first sight, you have won his heart for ever.
If you displease him, he will, in accordance with his
rough habits, scarcely deign to look on you again with
kindness. Courage, my daughter. Above all things, re-
member what I have taught you.”

Nitetis wiped away a tear, and returned : “ How shall I
thank you for all your kindness, Croesus, my second father,
my protector and adviser. 0 do not ever desert mo.
When the path of my poor life passes through sorrow and
grief, remain my guide and protector, as you have been
during this long journey over dangerous mountain passes.
Thank you, my father, thank you, a thousand times.”

With these words, the girl put her beautiful arms round
the, old man’s neck and kissed him like an affectionate
daughter.

When she entered the court of the gloomy house, a man
came towards her, followed by a train of Asiatic serving
women. The leader, the chief eunuch, one of the most im-
portant Persian court officials, was tall and stout. There
was a sweet smile on his beardless face, valuable rings hung

THE ARRIVAL AT BABYLOH.

137

from Ms ears ; Ms arms and legs, Ms neck, Ms long,
womanish garments, were covered with gold ornaments, and
his stiff artificial curls were surrounded by a purple fillet,
and sent forth a pungent odour. Boges, for this was the
eunucMs name, bowed respectfully to the Egyptian and
said, holding his fleshy hand covered with rings before
his mouth : “ Cambyses, the ruler of the world, sends me
to meet you, 0 queen, that I may refresh your heart with
the dew of his greetings. He further sends to you, through
me, his poorest slave, the garments of Persian women,
that you may approach the gate of the Achaemenidae in
Median dress, as beseems the wife of the greatest of
rulers. These women, your servants, await your com-
mands. They will transform you from an Egyptian emerald
into a Persian diamond.” Boges drew back and, with a
condescending movement of his hand, allowed the host of
the inn to present the princess with a most tastefully
arranged basket of fruit.

Nitetis thanked both men with friendly words, entered
the house, and tearfully put off the robes of her home ;
the thick plait, the mark of an Egyptian princess, was
unfastened, and strange hands clad her in Median fashion.

Meanwhile her companions commanded a meal to be pre-
pared. Nimble servants fetched chairs, tables, and golden
utensils from the wagon ; the cooks bustled about, and were
so ready and eager to help each other that soon, as if by
magic, a splendidly laid table, where nothing was wanting
down to the very flowers, awaited the hungry travellers.

The same luxury had been displayed during the whole
journey, for the sumpter-horses that followed the roya]
travellers carried every imaginable convenience, from
gold- woven, waterproof tents down to silver footstools, and
the carts that accompanied them bore bakers, cooks, cup-
bearers, carvers, men to prepare ointment, wreath winders,
and hairdressers.

Well-appointed inns were established at regular intervals
along the high road. Here the horses that hacf fallen on
the way were replaced by fresh ones, shady trees offered a
pleasant shelter from the heat of the sun, and on the
mountains the fires of the inns protected the traveller from
cold and snow.

138

AN EGYPTIAN PEINCESS.

The Persian inns, which resembled onr post-houses, were
first established by Cyrus the Great, who sought to shorten
the enormous distances between the different parts of his
realm by means of well-kept roads. He had also organized
a regular postal service. At every station the riders with
their knapsacks found substitutes on fresh horses ready
for instant departure, who, after receiving the letters
which were to be forwarded, galloped off post haste, and
when they reached the nest inn threw their knapsacks to
other riders who stood in readiness. These couriers were
called Angares, and were considered the swiftest horsemen
in the world.

When the company, who had been joined by Boges, the
eunuch, rose from table, the door of the inn opened. A
long-drawn sigh of admiration was heard, for Nitetis stood
before the Persians in the splendid Median court dress,
proudly exultant in the consciousness of her beauty, and
yet suffused with blushes at her friends’ astonishment.

The servants involuntarily prostrated themselves in the
Asiatic manner, but the noble Achoomenidae bowed low and
reverently. It was as if the princess had laid aside all
shyness with the simple dress of her home, and assumed
the pride and dignity of a queen with the silken garments,
heavy with gold and jewels, of a Persian princess.

The deep respect which had just been shown her seemed
to please her. With a condescending movement of her
hand she thanked her admiring friends ; then she turned
to the chief eunuch and said to him, kindly, but proudly :
“ You have done your duty. I am not dissatisfied with the
robes and the slaves you have provided for me. I shall
duly praise your care to my husband. Meanwhile, receive
this golden chain as a sign of my gratitude.”

The powerful overseer of the king’s wives kissed her
hand and silently accepted the gift. None of his charges
had yet treated him with such pride. All the wives whom
Cambyses had owned till now were Asiatics, and, as they
were acqtfkinted with the full power of the chief eunuch,
they were accustomed to do all they could to win his favour
by means of flattery and submission.

Boges again bowed low to Nitetis ; but, without paying any
further attention to him, she turned to Croesus, and said in

THE ARRIVAL AT BABYLON.

130

a low tone : “ I. cannot thank yon, my gracious friend, with
word or gift for what you have done for me ; it will be
owing to you alone if my life at this court becomes, if not
happy, at least peaceful.” Then she continued in a louder
voice, audible to her travelling companions : “ Take this
ring, which has not left my hand since our departure from
Egypt. Its value is small, its significance great. Pytha-
goras, the noblest of all the Greeks, gave it to my mother
when he came to Egypt to listen to the wise teachings of
our priests. She gave it to me when I left home. There is a
seven engraved on this simple turquoise. This n um ber, which
is indivisible, represents the health of body and soul, for
nothing is less divisible than health. If but a small por-
tion of the body suffers, the whole body is ill ; if one evil
thought nestles in our heart, the harmony of the soul is
disturbed. Whenever you look at this seven, let it remind
you that I wish you perfect enjoyment of bodily health,
and the continuance of that benignity which makes you the
most virtuous and therefore the most healthy of men. No
thanks, my father, for I should remain in your debt though
I should restore to Croesus the wealth of Croesus. Gyges,
take this Lydian lyre of ivory, and when its strings" give
forth music, remember the giver. To you, Zopyrus, I
give this chain, for I have noticed that you are the most
faithful friend of your friends, and we Egyptians put
bonds and ropes into the fair hands of our goddess of
love and friendship, beautiful Hathor, as a symbol of her
binding qualities. To you, Darius, the friend of Egyptian
lore and the starry firmament, I give, for a keepsake, this
golden ring, on which you will find the Zodiac engraved by
a skilful hand. Bart j a, my dear brother-in-law, you shall
receive the most precious treasure I possess. Take this
amulet of blue stone. My sister Tachot put it round my
neck when for the last time I pressed a kiss upon her
lips before we fell asleep. She told me this talisman would
bring sweet happiness in love to him who wore it. She
wept as she spoke, Bart j a. I do not know what she was
thinking of, but I hope I am carrying out her wish when I
lay this treasure in your hand. Think that Tachot is
giving it to you through me, her sister, and think some-
times of the garden of Sais.”

HO

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

She had spoken in Q-reek till then. Now she turned to the
servants, who were waiting at a respectful distance, and
said, in broken Persian : “ You, too, must accept my thanks.
You shall receive a thousand gold staters . 1 Boges,” she
added, turning to the eunuch, “ I command you to see that
the sum is distributed not later than the day after to-
morrow ! Lead me to my carriage, Croesus ! ”

The old man hastened to comply with her request.
While he conducted Nitetis to the carriage, she pressed his
arm against her breast and whispered: “Axe you satisfied
with me, my father? ”

“ I tell you, maiden,” returned the old man, “ you will be
the first at this court, after the king’s mother, for true
regal pride is on your brow, and you possess the art of
doing great things with small means. Believe me, a trifling
gift, chosen as you can choose, will cause greater pleasure
to a nobleman than a heap of gold flung down before him.
The Persians are accustomed to bestow and to receive
costly gifts. They know how to enrich one another. You
will teach them to make each other happy. How beautiful
you are. Is that right, or do you desire higher cushions ?
But what is that ! Do you not see clouds of dust rolling
hither from the town ? That must be Oambyses, who is
coming to meet you. Keep yourself upright, girl. Above
all, try to bear your husband’s glance, and return it. Pew
can bear the fire of his eye. If you succeed in meeting
it without fear or embarrassment, you have conquered.
Courage, courage, my daughter. May Aphrodite adorn
you with her loveliest charms ! To horse, my friends ! I
think the king is coming to meet us.”

Nitetis sat very erect in the golden carriage, and pressed
her hands on her heart. The cloud of dust came nearer
and nearer. Now bright sunbeams were reflected in the
weapons of the approaching host, and darted from the
cloud of dust like lightning from a stormy sky. Now the
cloud divided, and figures could be distinguished ; now
the apjjroaehing procession vanished behind the thick
bushes at a turn of the road; and now, not a hundred feet

1 According to Herod., i. 94, the oldest coins. Bookh and Brandis
have proved that the Assyrians had fixed weights and measures at a
much earlier date.

THE ARRIVAL AT BABYL0W. 141

away, tlie galloping riders were seen distinctly, as they
approached nearer and nearer.

The whole procession seemed to consist of a gay crowd
of horses, men, pnrple, gold, silver, and jewels. More
than two hundred riders, all on snow-white Nisoean steeds,
whose bridles and caparisons glittered with gold bells and
buckles, feathers, tassels, and embroidery, were followed by
a man who was often carried away by the powerful coal-
black horse on which he rode, but who generally proved to
the unmanageable, foaming animal that he was strong
enough to tame its wildness. The rider, whose knees pressed
the horse so that the animal trembled and panted, wore a
garment with a scarlet and white pattern, which was em-
broidered with silver eagles and falcons. His trousers
were of purple, his boots of yellow leather. He wore a
golden belt round his waist, in which was a short dagger-like
sword, whose hilt and sheath were encrusted with jewels.
The rest of his dress resembled Bartja’s. His tiara, also,
was surrounded by the blue-and- white fillet of the Achae-
menidae. Thick jet-black hair streamed from it. A thick
beard of the same colour covered the whole lower portion
of his hale, rigid face. His eyes were even darker than
his hair and beard, and glittered with a fire that burned
instead of warming. A deep red scar, caused by the
sword of a Massagetian warrior, marked the lofty brow,
large aquiline nose, and thin lips of the rider. His whole
bearing bore the stamp of great power and immoderate
pride.

Nitetis could not turn her eyes from his form. She had
never seen anyone like him. She thought she saw the
essence of all manliness in the intensely proud face. It
seemed to her as if the whole world, but especially she her-
self, had been created to serve this man. She feared him,
and yet her humble woman’s heart longed to cling to this
strong man as the vine clings to the elm. She did not
know whether the father of all evil, terrible Seth, or the
giver of all light, great Ra, was to be imagined in this
form.

As light and shade alternate when the heavens are clouded
at noon, so did deep red and ashy pallor appear on her
face. She forgot the precepts of her fatherly friend, and

142

AN EGYPTIAN PEINCESB.

yet when Cambyses forced his wild, snorting steed to stand
still by the side of her carriage, she gazed breathlessly into
the flashing eyes of the man, for she knew that he was the
king, though no one had told her.

The stern face of the ruler of half the world softened
more and more, the longer she, urged by a strange impulse,
endured his piercing glance. At last he waved his hand in
welcome and rode towards her companions, who had dis-
mounted, and who either prostrated themselves in the dust
before the king, or stood bowing low, in accordance with
Persian custom, hiding their hands in the sleeves of their
garments.

Now he himself sprang from his horse. At the same
time all his followers swung themselves out of the saddle.
The carpet-bearers in his train spread, quick as thought, a
heavy purple carpet on the road, so that the king's foot
should not touch the dust. A few seconds later, Cambyses
greeted his friends and relations with a kiss.

Then he shook Croesus 5 hand, and ordered him to mount
again and accompany him to Nitetis as interpreter.

The highest dignitaries hastened up and helped the king
to mount. He gave the signal, and the whole procession
moved on. Croesus rode beside Cambyses by the golden
carriage.

“ She is beautiful and pleasing to my heart," cried the
Persian to his Lydian friend. “ Now translate to me faith-
fully what she says in answer to my questions, for I under-
stand only Persian, Babylonian, and Median."

Nitetis had understood his words. Inexpressible joy
filled her heart, and before Crcesus could answer the king
she said in a low tone, in broken Persian : “ How shall I
thank the gods, who let me find favour in your eyes. I am
not ignorant of the language of my lord, for this noble old
man has instructed me in the Persian language during our
long journey. Pardon me if I can answer in broken words
only. My time for instruction was short, and my under-
standing is only that of a poor ignorant maiden."

The usually stem king smiled. His vanity was flattered
by Nitetis 5 eagerness to gain his approbation, and this dili-
gence in a woman seemed as strange as it was praiseworthy
to the Persian, who was used to see women grow up in

THE AIUtlVAL AT BABYLON. 143

ignorance and idleness, thinking of nothing but dress and
intrigue.

He therefore answered with evident satisfaction : u I am
glad that I can speak to yon without an interpreter. Con-
tiivue to try to learn the beautiful language of my fathers.
My companion Croesus shall remain your teacher in the
future.”

“ Your command fills me with joy,” said the old man,
“ for I could not desire a more grateful or more eager pupil
than the daughter of Amasis.”

“ She confirms the ancient, fame of Egyptian wisdom,”
returned the king, “ and I think that she will soon under-
stand, and accept with all her soul, the teachings of the
magi, who will instruct her in our religion.”
v Nitetis looked dowm. The dreaded moment was ap-
p, d 1 ing. She was henceforth to serve strange gods in
place the Egyptian deities.

Cambyses did not observe her emotion, and continued,
“ My mother, Cassaudano, shall initiate you in your duties as
my wife. I will conduct you to her myself to-morrow. I
repeat what you accidentally overheard. You please me.
Look to it that you keep my favour. We will try to make
you like our country, and because I am your friend I advise
you to treat Boges, whom I sent to meet you, graciously,
for you will have to obey him in many things, as he is the
superintendent of the harem.”

“ He may be the head of the women’s house,” returned
Nitetis. “ But it seems to me that no mortal but you has
a right to command your wife. Give hut a sign and I will
obey, but consider that I am a princess, and come from a
land where weak woman shares the rights of strong men ;
that the same pride fills my breast which shines in your
eyes, ray beloved I I will gladly obey you, the great man,
my husband and ruler ; but it is as impossible for me to sue
for the favour of the unmanliest of men, a bought servant,
as it is for me to obey his commands.”

Oambyses’ astonishment and satisfaction increased. He
had never heard any woman, save his mother, speak like
this, and the subtle way in which Nitetis unconsciously
recognized and exalted his power over her whole existence
satisfied his self-complacency. The proud man liked her

144

AN EGYPTIAN PPINCESS.

pride. He nodded approvingly and said : “ Yon are right
I will have a special house prepared for yon. I alone will
command yon. The pleasant honse in the hanging gardens
shall he prepared for yon to-day.”

“ I thank yon a thousand times ! ” cried Hitetis. “ If
yon but knew how yon delight me by your gift ! Your
brother, Bart j a, told me much of the hanging gardens,
and none of the splendours of your great realm pleased
ns as much as the love of the king who built the green
mountain.”

“ To-morrow yon will be able to enter your new dwell-
ing. Tell me how yon and the Egyptians liked my
envoys ? ”

“ How can yon ask ! Who could become acquainted
with noble Croesus without loving him. Who could help
admiring the excellent qualities of the young heroes, your
friends. They have become dear to our house, especially
your beautiful brother, Bart j a, who won all hearts. The
Egyptians are averse to strangers, but whenever Bart j a
appeared among them, a murmur of admiration arose from
the gaping throng.”

At these words the king’s face grew dark. He gave his
horse a heavy blow, so that it reared, turned its head, gal-
loped in front of his retinue, and in a few minutes reached
the walls of Babylon.

Nitetis, who, as an Egyptian, was accustomed to large
buildings, was, nevertheless, filled with astonishment at
„ihe extent and magnificence of this enormous town.

The walls seemed perfectly impregnable, for they were
two hundred cubits high, and their breadth was so great
that two carriages could easily pass each other. Two hun-
dred and fifty high towers surmounted and fortified this
huge rampart. A greater number of these citadels would
have been necessary if Babylon had not been protected
on one side by impenetrable marshes. The enormous
city lay on both sides of the Euphrates. It was more than
nine miles in circumference, and the walls protected build-
ings which surpassed even the pyramids and the temples of
Thebes and Memphis in size . 1

1 According to Layard, i. 1, and other writers, the ruins of Babylo©
still enable one to judge of the great extent of the town.

THE ABKIVAL AT BABYLON*

145

The brazen gates through which the royal procession
entered had been opened widely to receive the distinguished
arrivals. A fortified tower protected the entrance on either
side, in front of which, as guardian, stood a gigantic winged
bull of stone with a grave, bearded, human face. Nitetis
looked with astonishment at this huge gate ; with joyful
emotion she gazed at the long wide street, which was
festively docked in her honour*

As soon as the king and the golden carriage appeared
the assembled crowd broke into loud acclamations, which
became frantic shouts of joy when Bart j a, the favourite
of the people, was recognized. Oambyses, too, had not
been seen for a long while, for, in accordance with the
Median custom, the king seldom appeared in public. He
reigned invisible, like a deity, and his appearance among
the people was to be looked foiward to like a festival.
So all Babylon bad come out to welcome the dread ruler, and
the beloved prince who was returning home. All the
windows were filled with women wlio threw flowers at
the feet, of the approaching procession, and poured pleasant
essences on the riders. The whole street was covered
with myrtle and palm branches, green shrubs of cvex*y de-
scription stood before the doors, carpets and cloths hung
out of the windows, garlands were hung from house to
house, the smell of incense and sandal wood filled the air,
and thousands of Babylonians in white linen tunics,
coloured woollen coats, and short cloaks crowded on both
sides of the road, holding in their hands long wands, orna-
mented with gold and silver pomegranates, birds, and roses.*

All the streets through which the procession passed were
wide and straight, the houses were built of brick, and were
large and high. Above them, visible from all sides, towered
the gigantic temple of the god Bel, with its enormous
flights of stairs, which wound like huge snakes in eight
great circles round the outside of the building up to the
summit, which contained the sanctuary ; the tower consisted
of several stories, each smaller than the one on which it
rested * 1

1 This temple, supposed by many to be the Tower of Babel, Gen. xi.,
is mentioned by Herod, i. 181-183, I>iod, ii, 8 and 9, and others. Our
description of the tower is founded on various passages in the classics.

146

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

Now the procession reached the castle of the king,
which was built on the same scale as the whole town. The
walls surrounding the palace were covered with many
coloured glazed statues, which represented strange figures,
a mixture of birds, mammals, and fishes ; scenes of the chase
and war, and solemn processions. Towards the north, by
the side of the stream, were the hanging gardens. Towards
the east, on the other shore of the Euphrates, lay another
smaller palace, which was connected with the first by a
most wonderful structure, a solid stone bridge.

The procession moved through the brazen gates of the
three walls which surrounded the palace. The horses of
Nitetis’ carriage stopped. Eootstool bearers helped her to
descend. She was in her new home, and a few minutes
later in the rooms appointed for her temporary dwelling
in the women’s abode.

Cambyses, Bartja and his friends, still remained in
the gaily carpeted courtyard, surrounded by all the mag-
nificent dignitaries, when loud voices of women were
heard and a beautiful young Persian maiden in splendid
dress, wearing rich strings of pearls in her thick, fair hair,
rushed into the court up to the men, pursued by several
older women.

Cambyses stood smiling in front of the impetuous girl,
but with a skilful movement she rushed past him, and in
another moment, half laughing, half crying, she was in
Bartja’s arms.

The women who had followed her threw themselves on
the ground at a respectful distance, but when the girl con-
tinued embracing her brother, Cambyses cried :

“ For shame, Atossa. Bemember that when you began
to wear earrings 1 you ceased to be a child. I do not object
to your rejoicing at your brother’s return, but even in her
gladness a royal maiden must never forget what is seemly.
Now go back to your mother. I see youx attendants

The first storey, which still exists, in the midst of ruins, is 260 feet high.
The walls which surrounded the temple can still be traced, and were
probably 4,000 feet long and 3,000 broad. — JRich, <e Collected Memoirs”
first Memoir, p. 37.

1 The Persian women received earrings when they reached their
fifteenth year as a sign that they had attained a marriageable age.. —
Vendidad Pargard, xiv. 66.

THE A.BRIVA.L. AT BABYLOTT.

147

yonder. G-o and tell them that I shall not punish you
on this happy day. If you again force your way into this
court, which is closed against all who are not summoned
hither, I will tell Boges to lock you up for twelve days.
Bemember that, you madcap, and tell your mother I shall
come to her directly with Bartja. Bow give me a kiss.
You will not? Wait, you obstinate child.”

With these words the king sprang towards the girl, held
her hands in his left hand so firmly that she cried aloud,
bent back her charming little head, and in spite of her
resistance kissed his sister, who ran back weeping to her
attendants and into the house.

When Atossa had vanished, Bartja said : “ You held the
poor child too roughly, Cambyses. She cried with pain.”

The king’s face darkened, but he repressed the rough
answer which was ready on his lips, and said, turning
towards the house : “ Come to our mother ; she asked me
to take you to her as soon as you arrived. As usual, the
women cannot rest till they have seen you. Nitetis told
me you had charmed all the Egyptian women with your
fair curls and rosy cheeks. Pray, while there is yet time,
to Mithra, that he may grant you perpetual beauty, and
preserve you from the wrinkles of old age.”

“ Do you mean,” asked Bartja, “ that I possess no
virtues which may serve as an ornament to age ? ”

“ I explain my words to no one. Come ! ”

“ I shall ask you for an opportunity to prove that I am
inferior to no Persian in manly virtue.”

“ The joyous acclamations of the Babylonians might have
told you that you had no need of deeds to obtain praise.”

“ Cambyses ! ”

“Let us go. We are on the eve of war with the
Massa getse. There you will have an opportunity of show-
ing what you are and what you can do.”

A few minutes later Bartja was in the arms of his blind
mother, who had waited with throbbing heart for the ap-
proach of her darling, for whose return she had yearned.
When at length she heard his voice, and passed her
hands over the loved head, she forgot everything, and
rejoiced so at her son’s return that she paid no heed to her
firstborn, the powerful king, who looked on with a bitter

148

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

smile while his mother poured out her intense love on his
younger brother.

From his childhood every wish of Cambyses had been
fulfilled ; every sign from him had been a command. He
was, therefore, unable to brook contradiction, and he gave
vent to wild outbreaks of anger if contradicted by any
of his subjects, and all those with whom he came in
contact were his subjects. Cyrus, his father, the powerful
conqueror of half the world, whose great genius had
raised the small Persian nation to the pinnacle of earthly
greatness, who had known how to obtain the respect of the
many races he had subdued, had not known how to carry
on in his small family the work of education which he
had accomplished with such wonderful success in large
states. He already looked on the boy Cambyses as the
future king ; he ordered his subjects to submit to the child
blindly, and forgot that he who would rule must first
learn to obey.

The wife of his youth and of his heart, Cassandane,
had given him, first Cambyses, then three daughters, and
fifteen years later Bart j a. The firstborn son had long
withdrawn from the caresses of his parents when the
yo anger boy was born and claimed for himself all the care
and attention required in the first years of childhood.

The beautiful, warm-hearted, affectionate child became
the idol of both parents. They gave him their love,
while Cambyses received only careful consideration from
father and mother. The heir to the throne distinguished
himself in many wars, by his courage, but his proud,
overbearing manner won him trembling slaves, while the
companions of gracious Bart j a were his friends. In short,
the people feared Cambyses and trembled when he
approached, in spite of the splendid gifts which he was
accustomed lavishly to shower around him j but they loved
Barxja, in whom they saw the image of Cyrus, the “ father
of the people.”

Cambyses felt that he could not buy the love which was
given voluntarily to his brother by all. He did not hate
Bartja, but it vexed him to think that the boy who had
distinguished himself by no brave deeds should be loved
and respected as a hero and benefactor by all the

THE ARRIVAL AT BABYLON.

149

Persians. Wliat lie did not like lie considered wrong;
what he considered wrong he rebuked ; and, since his child-
hood, blame from his lips had been dreaded by the highest
in the land.

The enthusiastic joy of the people, the overflowing affec-
tion of his mother and sister, and, above all, the warm
praise which Nitetis had bestowed on Bart j a, aroused a
jealousy which till then had been unknown to his proud
heart. He had been most favourably impressed by Nitetis.
He was greatly struck by this daughter of a powerful
king, who had submitted unreservedly to his greatness,
who, like him, despised all that was small ; this woman
who had striven diligently to acquire the Persian language
merely to please him ; this tall maiden whose beauty, half
Egyptian, half Greek (her mother was a Greek), had en-
thralled him, for he had never seen her like before. He
was, therefore, vexed when she praised Bartja, and his
heart became susceptible to jealousy.

When he left the women’s apartment with his brother he
formed a rapid resolution, and said before they parted :
“ You asked me for an opportunity to prove your man-
hood. I will not refuse it. The Tapuri have revolted. I have
sent an army to their frontiers. Go to Bhagae, take the
command, and show what you are and what you can do.”

“ Thank you, brother ! 99 cried Bartja. “ May my friends
Darius, Gyges, and Zopyrus accompany me P 99
- “I will not refuse this favour. Behave well and do not
delay, so that in three months’ time you may be ready to
join the great army which will set out in the spring to
punish the Massagetae.”

“ I will start to-morrow.”

u Farewell.”

“ Will you grant me a wish if Auramazda preserves my
life and I return victorious ? ”

- 1 will.”

“ 0 now I shall conquer though I opposed ten thousand
Tapuri with but one thousand men.” The youth’s eyes
sparkled. He was thinking of Sappho.

“ I shall be glad if your words become deeds. But
stay. I have something else to say. You are twenty years
old, and must marry. Boxane, the daughter of the noble

150

AN EGYPTIAN KBINCESS.

Hydarnes, is of an age to marry. She is said to he "beauti-
ful, and her descent makes her worthy of you.”

“ My brother, do not speak to me of marriage. I ”

“ You must take a wife, for I am childless.”

“But you are young, and will not remain without
descendants. Besides, I do not mean to say I will never
marry. Bo not be angry, but do not speak to me of
women now that I wish to prove my manhood.”

“ Then you must marry Boxane when you return from
the north. But I advise you to take her with you. The
Persian fights best when he has not only his greatest
treasures, but also a beautiful woman to defend.”

“ Spare me this, my brother. By our father’s soul, I
adjure you, do not force me to take a wife whom I do not
know and do not wish to know. Give Boxane to Zopyrus,
who loves women. Give her to Darius or Bessus, who are
related to Hydames. I should be miserable ”

Cambyses laughed, and, interrupting his brother, ex-
claimed: “That sounds as if you had ceased to be a
Persian and had become an Egyptian. Truly, I have long
regretted that I sent a boy like you to a strange country.
I am not used to contradiction, and after the war I will
hear no excuses. How, if you like, you may set forth un-
wedded, for I would not force you to do what might,
according to you, imperil your manliness. But it seems to
me as if you had some secret reasons for refusing my
brotherly proposal. That would grieve me for your sake.
Now set forth ; after the war I will take no refusal. You
know me l ”

“Perhaps, after the war, I shall myself ask you to
grant what I should not like to accept now. It is as unwise
to force a man to be happy as it is to oblige him to do
what would make him unhappy. I thank you for yielding.”

“ Bo not try me too often. How happy you look ! I
really believe you are in love, and despise other women for
the sake of the chosen one.”

Bartja coloured to the roots of his hair, seized his
brother’s hand, and cried : “ Bo not seek to know more.
Once more accept my thanks. Parewell. Will you allow
me to bid Nitetis farewell when I have taken leave of my
mother and Atossa ? ”

THE ARRIVAL AT BABYLON.

151

Cambyses bit his lips, and fixed a piercing glance on
Bartja. Then, when lie thought he liad detected a certain
embarrassment in his brother’s face, he cried in an abrupt
and threatening tone : “ Hasten to the Tapuri. My wife
no longer needs your protection. She has other guardians.”

With these words he turned his back on Bartja and
weut to the hall, which was resplendent with gold and
jewels, where generals, satraps, judges, treasurers, scribes,
counsellors, eunuchs, doorkeepers, chamberlains, dressers
and undressers, cup-bearers, masters of the horse, chief
huntsmen, physicians, the eyes and ears 1 of the king, and
messengers of every description, awaited him.

He was preceded by heralds with long staves, and
followed by a host of fan bearers, litter and footstool
bearers, carpet- spreaders, and by scribes, who at once noted
down punishment, or reward, according to the slightest
hint of their master, and entrusted the fulfilment of the
command to the proper official.

In the middle of the hall, which was as light as day,
stood a gilt table which almost broke down under the
weight of the gold and silver vessels, plates, goblets, and
dishes, which were beautifully arranged thereon. In an
adjoining room, partitioned off by purple curtains, stood a
small table, the magnificent plate of which was worth several
millions. The king was accustomed to eat here. The
curtains hid him from those who feasted in the hall, while
he could ovei'look the whole apartment and observe every
movement of his guests. It was the greatest ambition of
everyone to be considered one of the “ Table Companions,”
and even he to whom a portion of food was sent from the
king’s table could boast of having received a great mark
of favour.

When Cambyses entered the hall nearly all present
prostrated themselves before him. His rela.tions, dis-
tinguished by the blue-and-white fillet on their tiaras, con-
tented themselves with a respectful bow.

1 The “eyes and ears” of the king may be compared with our
superintendents of police. Darius may hare borrowed the title from
Egypt, where we find on the monuments, at an early period : “ The two
eyes of the king of Upper Egypt, the two ears of the king of Lower
Egypt.”

152

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

When the king had taken his place in his room, the
companions of his table seated themselves, and the feast
began. Animals roasted whole were placed on the table,
and, when hunger was appeased, many courses of those
rare dainties were brought which afterwards became famous
even among the Greeks as “ Persian dessert.”

Then slaves appeared who cleared the remains of the
meal from the table. Other servants brought gigantic
flagons. The king came out of his room and seated
liimself at the head of the great table. A number of cup-
bearers skilfully filled the golden goblets, and tasted the
wine to show that it concealed no poison, and soon one of
those drinking bouts began which in later times caused
Alexander the Great to forget moderation and even
old friendship.

Cambyses was unusually silent. A suspicion had dawned
in his soul that Bart j a loved his new wife. Why did the
youth, contrary to custom, in defiance of the obedience
which the king's childless condition demanded, disregarding
a duty which had often been discussed, refuse to marry a
noble and beautiful maiden? Why did he wish to see
Nitetis again before his departure to the army ? Why did
he blush when he proffered this request ? Why had the
Egyptian, almost unasked, praised him so highly? It is
well that he is going, for he shall not rob me of the love
of this woman also, thought the king. If he were not
my brother I would send him to the place from which
there is no return.

After midnight he ended the feast. Boges, the chief
eunuch, appeared to lead him to the women's house,
whither he was accustomed to go at this hour, unless he
was too intoxicated.

“Phaedime awaits you with impatience,” said the
eunuch.

“ Let her wait,” answered the king. “ Have you seen to
the restoration of the palace in the hanging gardens ? ”

“ It will be ready to-morrow.”

44 Which rooms have been prepared for the Egyptian ? ”

“ The former dwelling of your father Cyrus’s second wife,
Amytis.”

“ It is well. Nitetis is to be treated with the greatest

THE ARRIVAL AT BABYLON. 158

respect. You yourself are not to give tier any commands
except those with which I charge you.”

Boges bowed.

“ Take care that no one, not even Croesus, sees her till I
give you other orders.”

“ Croesus was with her 'his evening.”

“ What did he want of my wife ? ”

“ I do not know, for I do not understand Greek, but I
heard Bart] a’ s name repeated several times. 1 think the
Egyptian received bad news. She looked sad when I asked
for orders on Croesus’ departure.”

“Angramainjus curse your tongue,” muttered the king,
turning his back on the eunuch and following the torch-
bearers and servants who accompanied him to his room.

At noon on the following day Bart] a rode with his friends
and a host of attendants to the frontiers of the Tapuri.
Croesus accompanied the young heroes as far as the gates
of Babylon. Before they exchanged the farewell embrace,
Bartj a whispered to his old friend : “ If the messenger from
Egypt has a letter for me in his knapsack, send it on to
me.”

“ Will you be able to read the Greek characters ? ”

“ Gyges and Eros will help me.”

“ Nitetis, whom I told of your departure, greets you and
bids you not forget your Egyptian friends.”

“ Of course not.”

“ May the gods guard you, my son. Be gentle as your
father to the rebels who revolted, not from insolence,
but to gain a man’s fairest possession — freedom. [Re-
member that it is better to show kindness than to shed
blood, for the sword kills, but kindness shown by a ruler
makes men happy. End the war as soon as you can, for
it perverts nature. In peace, sons outlive their fathers ; in
war, fathers survive their sons. Farewell, young heroes.
May you be victorious.”

CHAPTEE SUL

NITETIS’S NEW HOME.

C AMBYSES spent a sleepless night. The feeling of
jealousy, unknown till then, increased his desire for
the Egyptian whom he was not yet allowed to call his
wife, for the Persian law decreed that the king might not
marry a stranger until she had become acquainted with
the Persian customs and a convert to the religion of
Zoroaster . 1 According to the law a whole year ought to
elapse before Nitetis could become the wife of a Persian
prince; but what did Cambyses care for the law! He
looked on himself as the embodiment of the law, and de-
clared that three months would suffice for Nitetis to under-
stand all the teachings of the magi, and to celebrate her
wedding with him.

His other wives seemed hateful and distasteful to him.
Prom his earliest youth his house had been filled with
women. Beautiful girls from all parts of Asia, black-
eyed Armenians, fair girls from the Caucasus, delicate
maidens from the shores of the Ganges, voluptuous Baby-
lonians, golden-haired Persians, children of the Median
plains, were his ; several of the daughters of the noblest
Achsemenidse were united to the king as his lawful wives.

Phsedime, daughter of Otanes, niece of his mother
Cassandane, had been his favourite wife till now, or rather
the only one of whom it was possible to think that she was

1 Zoroaster, properly Zarathustra or Zer ethoschtro, one of the greatest
lawgivers and founders of religion. It is not certain whether ho was
born in Bactria, Media, or Persia, and it is almost impossible to deter-
mine the date of his birth. At all events, his doctrines were well known
at the time of our story. The Avesta is probably of later date.

HITETIs’s NEW HOME.

155

something more to him than a bought slave. But she too
seemed common and despicable to the sated king, especially
when he thought of Nxtetis.

The Egyptian seemed to him nobler and worthier
than the others. They were fawning girls, Hitetis was a
queen. The others lay in the dust at his feet. When
he thought of JSTitetis, he saw her standing upright, tall
and proud as himself. Henceforth she was not only to
take Pksedime’s place, but he would raise her to the same
position to which his father Cyrus had raised his wife
Cassandane. She alone could assist him with knowledge
and counsel; the rest, ignorant as children, cared for
nothing but dress and finery, for petty intrigues and
worthless trifles. The Egyptian would be obliged to love
him, for he was her support, her father, her brother, in
a strange land.

“ She must,” he said to himself, and his will seemed
to him equivalent to the accomplished fact. “ Bart j a had
better beware. He shall learn what awaits those who
dare to cross my path.”

Nitetis also spent a restless night. The singing and
noise in the women’s assembly room, which adjoined her
apartment, continued till past midnight. She often recog-
nized the shrill voice of Boges, who laughed and jested
with his charges. At last silence reigned in the wide halls
of the palace ; but she could not help thinking of her
distant home and of poor Tachot, who yearned for her, and
for beautiful Bartja, who, so Croesus had told her, was to
go to-morrow to war, perhaps to death. Overcome by the
fatigues of the journey, she fell asleep and dreamed of her
lord. She saw him riding on his black horse. The furious
animal shied at the corpse of Bartja, which lay on the
ground, threw the king and dragged him to the Nile,
which suddenly began to flow with blood-red waves. In
her terror she screamed for help. Her cry was re-echoed
from the Pyramids, and became louder and more terrible,
till the dreadful echo woke her. But what was that? The
loud lament which she had heard in her dream fell on her
waking ear. She tore open the shutters of a window and
looked out. A large, splendid garden, with fountain sand
long avenues of trees, wet with dew, stretched before her

156

JLN EGYPTIAN PBINCESB.

eyes. No sound was heard saye that strange tone ; then
that too died away in the morning breeze. After a short
time she heard voices and noise in the distance. Then the
tumult began in the great town, and she could only dis-
tinguish a hollow roar like the waves of the ocean. The
cool morning air had roused her completely, and she
had no desire to lie down. She again went to the
window. She saw two persons come out of the house in
which she dwelt. She recognised the eunuch Boges, who
was talking to a beautiful Persian woman carelessly
dressed. They approached her window. Nitetis hid her-
self behind the half- open shutter, for she thought she
heard her name.

“ The Egyptian is still sleeping,” said the eunuch.
“ She must be very tired after her journey.”

“ Tell me quickly,” said the Persian ; “ do you really
think this stranger may prove dangerous to me ? ”

“ Certainly, my darling.”

“ What makes you think so ? ”

“ The new wife is to obey, not my orders, but the king’s.”

“Is that all?”

“ No, my treasure. I know the king, and can read his
face as easily as a magus reads the sacred books.”

“ Then we must destroy her.”

“ That is easily said, but not so easily done, my pigeon.”

“ Let go, impertinent man ! ”

“ Why, no one sees us, and you will want my help.”

“ Very well ; but say quickly what we must do.”

“ Thank you, my sweet little Phaedime. Well, in the
first place, we must keep quiet and wait for an oppor-
tunity. When Croesus, that detestable hypocrite, who
seems to take an interest in the Egyptian, has gone away,
we will lay a trap for her.”

The speakers had moved on too far for Nitetis to hear
any more. She closed the shutter in silent indignation,
and summoned her servants to dress her. She now knew
her enemies. She now knew that a thousand dangers
awaited her ; but she felt exultant and proud, for she was to
be Cambyses’ real wife. She had never before experienced
such joyful confidence in her own worth as now, when she
Was opposed to these miserable beings. A wonderful con-

NITETIS’S NEW HOME.

157

viction entered her heart that she would he victorious ; she
believed firmly in the magic power of the good and the
virtuous.

4 4 What was the meaning of that dreadful sound I heard
early this morning ? ” she asked the chief of her Persian
attendants, who was arranging her hair.

44 Do you mean the gong, mistress ? ”

44 A strange sound roused me about two hours ago.”

44 That was the gong which every morning awakens the
children of the nobles, who are educated by the king.
You will soon become accustomed to the sound. We have
long ceased to notice it; indeed, when it is not heard
on great holidays, the unusual silence arouses us. In the
hanging gardens you will be able to see all the boys led to
the bath in hot or cold weather. The poor children are
taken from their mothers in their sixth year that they
may be brought up under the king’s eye, together with
the other children of their rank.”

44 Are they to become acquainted with the luxury of
this court at that early age ? ”

44 No, indeed l The poor boys are very hardly used.
They sleep on the bare ground and rise before the
sun. They live on bread, water, and very little meat.
They have no idea of what wine and vegetables are. Some-
times they are obliged to fast for days when there is no
need for it ; they are told that they must accustom them-
selves to privation. When we live at Pasargada, or
Ecbatana , 1 they are certain to he led to the bath, when it is
bitterly cold, and when we reside here at Susa, the hotter
the sun, the more wearying the marches they are obliged
to undertake.”

44 And these boys become such voluptuous men.”

44 That is always the way. The longer you hunger, the
more will you enjoy your food. A young noble sees daily
every imaginable splendour, knows that he is rich, and yet
he is obliged to undergo privations. Is it strange that when
he is at last set free he enjoys all the delights of life
with increased zest ? If he goes to war, or to the chase,

1 The summer residences of the kings of Persia, where the cold is
sometimes very great. Ecbatana is near Hamad&n, Pasargada near
Kackmet, in the highlands of Iran.

158 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

he does not mind if lie has to suffer hunger and thirst.
Then, in spite of his thin boots and purple trousers, he goes
laughing into the mud, and sleeps as soundly on a rock
as on his couch of delicate Arabian wool. You must see
what bold deeds these boys do, especially when the king
looks on at their drill. Cambyses is sure to take you some
day if you ask him/ 5

“ I have seen the same thing in Egypt, where both the
boys and the girls are encouraged to gymnastics. My
limbs were made supple by running, exercises, and games
with balls and hoops. 1 ”

“ How strange I Here our women grow up just as they
like, and learn nothing but a little weaving and spinning.
Is it true that most Egyptian women actually understand
the arts of reading and writing ? ”

“ Hearty all receive instruction in these arts.”

4t By Mithra ! you must be a clever people. Few
Persians learn these difficult arts, except magi and scribes.
The young nobles only learn to speak the truth, to be
obedient and brave, to obey the gods, to hunt, to ride, to
plant trees, and to distinguish herbs. He who wishes
to learn writing must apply to the magi, as was done
by noble Darius. The women are actually forbidden to
acquire these sciences. But now you are ready. These
pearls the king sent you this morning. They look beauti-
ful in your black hair. May I ask you to rise ? These
shoes are actually too large for you. Try this pair. You
look like a goddess ; but it is easy to see that you are not
accustomed to wearing these silken trousers, and high heels
on your little hoots. Walk up and down a few times,
then you will soon beat all the Persian women, even in
walking.”

At this moment there was a knock at the door, and
Boges entered to lead Hitetis to blind Cassandane, in
whose apartments Cambyses awaited her.

The eunuch declared himself her most humble slave, and
poured out a stream of flowery battery, comparing her with
the sun, the starry heavens, a pure well of happiness, and
a rose-garden. Nitetis did not condescend to speak to
him, but with beating heart entered the room of the
king’s mother.

NITETIs’s NEW HOME.

159

The windows were closed by curtains of green Indian
silk, which kept out the bright midday sun, and produced
a semi-darkness soothing to the eyes of the blind queen.
The floor was covered with a heavy Babylonian carpet, in
which Nitetis's feet sank as though it were moss. The
walls were covered with a mosaic of ivory, tortoiseshell,
gold, silver, malachite, lapis lazuli, ebony, and amber.
The gold frames of the seats were covered with the skins of
lions, and the table at the side of the blind woman was of
solid silver. Cassandane sat on a costly armchair, in
violet garments embroidered with silver. A long veil of
delicate Egyptian lace covered her snow-white hair ; its
long ends were wound round her neck and tied together in a
large bow under her chin. She was between sixty and
seventy years of age. Her face, framed by the lace veil,
was remarkably regular, and bespoke great intelligence,
sincere kindness, and warm affection.

Her sightless eyes were closed, but one expected to see
a pair of mild, pleasant stars when she opened them.
She was stately and well grown. Her whole appear-
ance was worthy of the widow of Cyrus the great and
good.

On a little stool at the feet of the queen sat her youngest
child, Atossa, drawing long threads from her golden
spindle. Opposite her stood Cambyses, and in the back-
ground, half hidden in the dim light of the room, was the
Egyptian oculist, Heben chari.

When Nitetis had crossed the threshold of the room,
the king came towards her and led her to his mother.
The daughter of Amasis sank on her knees before the
venerable queen and kissed her hand with sincere feeling.

“ You are welcome,” said the blind woman, laying her
hand on the maiden's head. “ I have heard much to your
advantage, and hope to win a dear daughter in you.”

Hitetis again kissed the delicate hand of the queen and
answered in a low voice : “ How I thank you for those
words. Cyrus' wife, permit me to call you mother. My
tongue, which is used to pronounce this sweet name,
trembles with joy now that, for the first time for weeks,
I may again say, 4 My mother.' O, I will try with all my
heart to be worthy of your kindness, but may you also

160

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

fulfil what your dear face seems to promise. Help me with
counsel and advice in this strange land ; let me find a
refuge at your feet when longing overcomes me, aud my
heart is too weak to bear its joy or sorrow alone. Let all
be said in the words : be my mother.”

Cassandane felt warm tears falling on her hand. She
touched the brow of the weeping girl kindly with her lips,
and said: “I fully understand your feelings. My heart
and my apartments will always be open to you, and as I
call you daughter with my whole heart, so do you trust me
and call me mother. In a few months you will be my
son’s wife, and perhaps the gods will grant you a gift
which will enable you to dispense with a mother, because
you feel yourself a mother.”

“ Auramazda grant it ! ” cried Cambyses. “ I am glad,
Mother, that my wife pleases you, and I know that she
will be happy among us as soon as she has learnt our Per-
sian customs. If she is attentive, she will be able to wed
me in four months.”

“ But the law — ,” began his mother.

“I command that we marry in four months!” cried
the king, “ and I should like to see who would dare op-
pose me. Farewell. See carefully to the queen’s eyes,
Nebenchari, and if my wife allows it, you may visit her
to-morrow, as you are her countryman. Farewell. Bartja
sends greetings. He is on his way to fight against the
Tapuri.”

Atossa silently wiped away a tear, but Cassandane said :
“ You might have left the hoy with us for a few months.
Your general, Megabyzus, will be able to punish a small
nation like the Tapuri without his assistance.”

“Ido not doubt it,” returned the king. u But Bartja
himself longed for an opportunity to show his courage,
so I sent him to the scene of war.”

“ Could he not have waited for the war against the
Massagetse, in which greater glory can be won ? ” asked
the queen.

“ And if he is hit by the arrow of one of the Tapuri,”
cried Atossa, “ you will have robbed him of a man’s holiest
du$fcy; you will have prevented him from avenging our
father’s soul.”

NITETIs’s NEW HOME.

161

“ Silence l” thundered Cambyses, “lest I have to teach
you what behaviour is fit for women and children. That
child of fortune, Bart j a, will come back safe and, let us
hope, deserve the love which is now bestowed on him far too
generously as alms.”

“ How can you speak so ? Is not your brother adorned
by every manly virtue ? Is it his fault that he has had no
opportunity to distinguish himself in war like you, Cam-
byses? You are the king, whose orders I obey, but I
could blame my son because, for what cause I know not,
he has robbed his blind mother of the greatest joy of her
old age. Bart j a would have been willing to stay with us
till the war against the Massagetse, but you obstinately
willed it otherwise — ”

“And what I will is right,” interrupted Cambyses, pale
with anger. “ I wish never to hear of this again.”

With these words he abruptly left the room, and, accom-
panied by the great retinue, which never left him, pro-
ceeded to the reception hall.

An hour had passed since Cambyses left his mother's
room, and Nitetis was still kneeling beside Atossa at the
queen's feet.

The Persians listened to the narrative of their new
friend, and were unwearied in their inquiries after the
wonders of Egypt.

“ O how I would like to visit your country ! ” cried
Atossa. “Your Egypt must be quite different from
Persia, and all that I have seen as yet. The fertile shores
of the huge river, which must be greater than even the
Euphrates ; the temples with their coloured pillars, and
those artificial mountains, the Pyramids, where the ancient
kings lie buried — all these things must be magnificent to
behold. I think your feasts must be the most beautiful of
all, where men and women associate freely. We Persians
may feast with the men on New Year's Day and on the birth-
day of the king, but we are forbidden to speak ; it would
even be improper if we raised our eyes. How different with
you. By Mithra, Mother, I should like to be an Egyptian,
for we poor creatures are only miserable slaves ; and yet I
feel that I too am the child of great Cyrus, and not inferior
to men. Do I not speak the truth, ind can I not command

162

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

and obey ? Do I not long for fame ; could I not learn to
ride, to use the bow, to fight, to swim, if I had only been
able to gain strength, and had an opportunity ?”

The girl had risen from her seat with flaming eyes, and
swung her spindle without seeing that the flax became
entangled and the thread broke.

“ Eemember what is seemly,” said Cassandane, in a
warning voice. “Woman must submit humbly to her
quieter destiny, and not strive to emulate the deeds of
men.”

“ But there are women who live like men l ” cried Atossa.
“ By the Thermodon, in Themiscyra, and by the Iris river,
in Comana, live the Amazons, who have waged great wars,
and still go about in the armour of men.”

“Prom whom did you hear that ? ”

“My nurse, old Stephanion, from Sinope, whom my
father brought as a prisoner of war to Pasargada, told
me so.”

“ But I can tell you the truth,” said Nitetis. “ There
are certainly a number of women in Themiscyra and
Comana who dress like warriors, but they are merely
priestesses, who dress like the warlike goddess they serve,
in order to show the worshippers the image of the deity in
their own form. Croesus says there never was an army of
Amazons ; but the G-reeks, who know how to turn every-
thing into a beautiful legend, transformed these priestesses
whom they had seen from armed servants of a goddess
into a nation of warlike women.”

“ But then they are liars I” cried the disappointed child.

“ Truth is certainly not as sacred to the Greeks as to
you,” returned Mtetis. “ They do not call it lying, but
poetry, when they invent such fables and sing them to
, their astonished audience, after arranging them in skilful
measures and beautiful words.”

“ It is the same with us,” said Cassandane. “ Have not
the bards who praise my husband’s deeds altered and im-
proved on the history of Cyrus’s youth in strange fashion
without being called liars ? But tell me, my daughter, is
it true that the Greeks are handsomer than other people,
and that they understand all the arts better than even the
Egyptians ? ”

NITETIs’s NEW HOME.

i m

“ I cannot venture to decide on that point. Our works
of art are quite different from those of the Greeks. When
I went into our great temples to pray, I always felt as
though I must prostrate myself in the dust before the
great power of the gods, and beg them not to crush me, a
little worm. On the steps of the temple of Hera at Samos
I was forced to raise my hands and thank the gods joyfully
that they had made the world so fair. In Egypt I always
believed what I had been taught : f Life is sleep ; in the
hour of death we shall first awaken to real existence in
Osiris’ realm.’ In Greece I thought I was born to enjoy
this world, which blossoms and shines around me, full of
beauty and happiness.”

“ 0, tell us more of Greece ! ” cried Atossa. “ But first,
Nebenchari must again bandage my mother’s eyes.”

The oculist, a tall grave man in the white robes of an
Egyptian priest, began his work ; when he had finished,
Nitetis greeted him kindly, and he withdrew to the back-
ground in silence. A eunuch entered the room and
asked if Croesus might pay his respects to the king’s
mother.

Soon after the old man entered, and was greeted with
sincere pleasure as an old and tried friend of the royal
family. Atossa impetuously embraced her friend, who had
been absent so long, the queen held out her hand to him,
and Nitetis greeted him as a beloved father.

“ I thank the gods that they have allowed me to see you
again!” cried the vigorous old man. “At my age, every
year must be accepted as an unmerited gift of the gods ;
while youth looks on life as a matter of course, as some-
thing which belongs to it by right.”

“ How I envy you your love of life,” sighed Cassandane.
“ I am younger than you, yet every new day, whose dawn
the gods refuse to let me see, seems to me a new punishment
of the immortals.”

“ Do I hear great Cyrus’ wife ? ” asked Croesus. “ Since
when have courage and confidence left Cassandane’s strong
heart ? You will have your sight restored, I tell you, and
like me you will thank the gods for a beautiful old age.
He who has been very ill values the blessing of health a
hundredfold, and he who was blind and has his sight

164

AX EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

restored must "be a special favourite of the eternal gods.
Imagine the joy of the moment -when for the first time
after long years you see the light of the sun, the faces of
your beloved, the beauty of all creation, and confess that
the splendour of that moment could compensate you for a
whole lifetime of blindness. When you are cured a new
life will dawn on you in your old age, and I already hear
you agreeing with my friend Solon.”

“ What did he say ? ” asked Atossa.

“ He wished that Memnermos of Colophon, who sang
that a beautiful life should end at sixty, would amend his
verses and change the sixty into eighty.”

“ 0 no ! ” cried Cassandane. “ A long existence would
seem dreadful to me, even though Mithra restored my
sight. Without my husband I am like a traveller who
wanders through the desert without aim or guide.”

“ Do you, then, quite forget your children and this realm,
whose birth and growth you saw ? ”

“ 0 no ! but my children do not need me any longer, and
the ruler of the kingdom does not wish to listen to a
woman’s advice.”

Atossa seized the queen’s right hand, Nitetis her left,
and the Egyptian cried : “ For the sake of your daughters
and their happiness you must wish for a long life. What
should we be without your help and protection P ”

Cassandane smiled and murmured almost inaudibly:
“You are right, my children. You will need your
mother.”

“ In these words I recognize the wife of Cyrus ! ” cried
Croesus, kissing the queen’s robe. “ I tell you, Cassandane,
no one knows how soon we shall need you. Cambyses is made
of hard steel which calls forth sparks wherever it strikes.
It is your duty to see that these sparks kindle no fire in
the midst of those you love best. You are the only one who
can speak words of warning when the king is angry. You
alone he considers his equal. He despises the opinion of
others, but his mother’s blame touches him. It is, therefore,
your duty to act as mediator between the king and the
realm and your children, and to see that your son’s pride
is not humbled by the punishment of the gods, instead of
by your rebuke.”

NITETIs’s NEW HOME.

165

“ If I could only bring tbit about,” returned Cassan-
dane. “ But bow seldom my proud son beeds bis mother’s
advice.”

“ But be must at least listen when you advise,” continued
Croesus, “ and that is a great gain, for tbougb be may not
follow your advice, it will at least vibrate in bis heart like a
divine voice, and restrain him from many a crime. I will
remain your ally, for I, who was charged by bis dying father
to help him with word and deed — I too may sometimes ven-
ture boldly to oppose bis excesses. We two are the only
people at this court whose blame be fears. Let us be
brave, and faithfully perform our office of counsellors — you
from love of Persia and your child, I from gratitude to the
great man who once gave me liberty and life. I know you
regret that you did not educate Cambyses differently, but
you must avoid repentance as you would, a dangerous poison.
To repair, not to repent, that is the remedy for the faults
of the wise. Bepentance consumes the heart, but repara-
tion fills it with noble pride and forces it to beat with greater
strength.”

“We Egyptians,” said Nitetis, “ count repentance among
the forty-two deadly sins. ‘ Thou sbalt not consume thy
heart,’ says one of our chief commandments.”

“You remind me,” said the old man, “that I have
undertaken to arrange your time for instruction in the
Persian customs, religion, and language. I would gladly
have withdrawn to Barene, the town which Cyrus gave
me, to repose in that quiet and lovely mountain valley ;
for your sake and the king’s, I will remain here and
continue to instruct you in the Persian tongue. Cas-
sandane herself will initiate you into the customs of the
women of this court. Oropastes, the chief priest, will, iu
accordance with the king’s command, teach you the Persian
doctrines. He is to be your spiritual, I your temporal
guardian.”

Mtetis, who had smiled contentedly till then, now looked
down and asked in a subdued voice —

“ Am I to become false to the gods of my home, to whom
I have prayed till now, and who never left my prayers
unanswered? Can I, may I forget them?”

“ You can, may, and must,” said Cassandane, firmly.

166

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

“ The wife must not have other friends than those of her
husband. The gods are the mightiest and truest friends of
man, and it is your duty as a woman to honour them, and
to close your heart against the gods and superstitions of
your home as you would close your house against strange
suitors.”

44 Besides,” said Croesus, “we do not wish to rob you of
the deity ; we give it you under another name. For as truth
is always the same, whether you call it 4 Maa,’ like the
Egyptians, or ‘ Aletheia/ like the G-reeks, so the deity itself
will never change. See, my daughter, I myself, when I was
still king, sacrificed to the Greek Apollo with perfect sin-
cerity, and believed that I should not offend the Lydian sun-
god Sandon by this act of piety. The Ionians pray reverently
to the Asiatic Cybele, and now, since I have become a
Persian, I raise my hands to Mithra, Auramazda, and
beautiful Anahita . 1 Pythagoras, whose teachings are not un-
known to you, prayed to but one god. He calls him Apollo,
because the pure light and harmony, which he looks on as
the highest of all things, are derived from this deity as from
the Greek sun-god. Xenophanes of Colophon 2 scoffs at
the multiform gods of Homer, and places one god on the
throne, the ever- generating force of nature, whose being is
thought, reason, eternity. All things proceed from him;
his is the strength which alone is unchangeable, while the
matter from which things are created, undergoes constant
and complete change. The intense longing for a great being
over us, on whom we can lean when our own strength does
not suffice ; the wonderful impulse in our heart, which seeks
a trustworthy confidant of all our joys and sorrows, the
gratitude we feel at the sight of this beautiful world,
and the gifts of fortune which fall to our share in such
abundance, all this we call piety. Preserve this feeling,
but consider that it is not the Egyptian, the Persian,
or the Greek gods who rule the world, but they are all
one deity, one and indivisible, who guides the destinies

1 Anahita or Ardf-QAra, the goddess of wells, who may be compared
to the Greek Aphrodite. All water flowed from the well Anahita, which
had the power of purification.

2 A celebrated freethinker, who underwent much persecution on
account of the scorn with which he treated the gods of Homer.

NITETIS’S NEW HOME.

167

of all nations and all mortals, though, we call them by
different names and represent them under different
forms.”

The Persian women listened in astonishment to the old
man; their powers of conception were too untrained to
enable them to follow Croesus. Nit.etis understood him and
cried: “Ladice, my mother, the pupil of Pythagoras, taught
me the same, but the Egyptian priests call these views
criminal and their inventors impious. I therefore tried to
banish these opinions from my heart. Now I will no longer
resist them. Wliat wise and pious Croesus believes, canuot
be impious. Let Oropastes come, I am ready to listen io
his teaching, and let him change our Ammon, the god of
Thebes, into Auramazda ; Isis or Hathor into Anahita. 1
will look up with reverence to the divinity who embraces
the whole world, who lets all things grow and. blossom
here, who also casts balm and comfort into the hearts of
the Persians who turn to him in pi*ayer.”

Croesus smiled; he had thought Nitetis would find it
more difficult to renounce the gods of her home, for be
knew the stubborn mind of the Egyptian, which clings
to all that tradition and teaching have bestowed. He had
forgotten that the girl's mother was a Greek, and that
the Pythagorean doctrines were not unknown to Amasis 1
daughters. Finally, he did not know the intense desire of
the girl to win the approval of her proud lord. Amasis
himself, though he honoured the Samian sage, though he
yielded in many things to Greek influence, and might
with justice he called an Egyptian freethinker, would
rather have died than change his many gods for the idea
“ Deity.”

u You are a docile pupil,” said Croesus, laying his hand
on Ms charge’s head. “ As a reward you shall be allowed
every morning and every afternoon till sunset to visit
Cassandane, or to receive Atossa in the hanging gardens,”

This joyful news was received by the young Persian with
loud exclamations of delight, and with a grateful glance by
the Egyptian.

“ Fin al ly,” continued Crcesus, “I have bi ought you
balls and hoops from Sais, so that you may enjoy your-
selves in Egyptian fashion.”

168

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

“ Balls 1 ” said Atossa, in astonishment ; “ what shall we
do with heavy wooden balls ? ”

“Do not be afraid,” laughed Croesus; “the balls we
mean are small and dainty, made of an inflated fish-skin
or leather. A two-year-old child can throw them, while
you would find it hard enough to lift one of those wooden
balls with which the Persian boys and youths play. Are
you satisfied with me, Nitetis ? ”

“ How shall I thank you, my father ? ”

“ Listen again to your arrangements for the future. In
the morning you will visit Cassandane, chat with Atossa,
and listen to your noble mother’s teaching.”

The queen nodded approvingly.

“ At noon I shall come to teach you Persian, often talk-
ing with you of Egypt and your family. You do not
object?”

Nitetis smiled.

“ Every other day Oropastes will attend you and initiate
you in the Persian religion.”

“ I will take great pains to understand him quickly.”

“ In the afternoon you will be with Atossa as long as
you like. Are you satisfied ? ”

“ Oh, Croesus 1 ” cried the girl, and kissed the old man’s
hand.

CHAPTER XIV.

THE KING’S BIBTHDAY.

T HE following day Nitetis took possession of the country
house in the hanging gardens, and spent her time
somewhat monotonously, but happily and diligently,
according to Croesus’ arrangements. Every day she was
taken to Cassandane and Atossa in a carefully- closed
litter. The blind queen soon became a loved and loving
mother, and the wild, merry daughter of Cyrus almost
took the place of Tachot, the Egyptian’s sister, on the dis-
tant shores of the Nile. Nitetis could not have desired a
better companion than this bright child, whose jests and
gaiety prevented her friend from feeling homesick or dis-
contented. The gravity of the one was lessoned by the
cheerfulness of the other ; the wild spirits of the Persian
were toned down to a calm happiness under the influence
of the equable, noble Egyptian.

Croesus and Cassandane were equally satisfied with their
new daughter and pupil. Oropastes, the magus, daily praised
the capacity and intelligent'© of the maiden to Cambyses.
Nitetis learnt the Persian language unusually well and
quickly. The king went to his mother, whenever he thought
he would find the Egyptian there ; and every day he gave
her valuable jewels and dresses, The greatest favour ho
showed her was that he never visited her in her country
house in the hanging gardens. This conduct showed that
he intended to include her among the small number of his
wedded wives — a favour which many princesses who lived
in his harem could not boast of.

The grave, beautiful girl strangely fascinated the wild,
powerful man. Her mere presence seemed to suffice to
soften his stubborn mood. He looked on for hours at the

170

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

games of the girls, and kept his eyes fixed on the graceful
Egyptian. Once when a ball fell into the water, he sprang
after it in his heavy gaiments, and saved it. Hitetis screamed
alond when the king prepared for this unexpected act of
chivalry; but Cambyses smiled as he gave her the drip-
ping toy, and said: “ Take care, or I shall have to frighten
you often.” At the same time he took a gold chain studded
with jewels from his neck, and gave it to the blushing girl,
who thanked him with a glance that showed what she felt
for her future husband.

Croesus, Cassandane, and Atossa soon saw that Nitetis
loved the king. Her fear of the proud man had changed
to a deep passion. She thought she should die if she did
not see him. He seemed to her mighty and splendid as a
god. Her wish to possess him seemed insolent and criminal,
but the satisfaction of that wish seemed to her fairer than
her return home — than a reunion with those whom till now
she had loved exclusively.

She was herself scarcely conscious of her passion, and
tried to believe that she feared him, and trembled with
terror, not longing, before he came. Croesus soon read
her heart, and made his favourite blush deeply when he
sang with his quavering voice the latest song of Anacreon,
which Ibycus had taught him at Sais : —

“We read the flying courser’s name
Upon his side, in marks of flame,

And by their turbaned brows alone
The warriors of the East are known.

But in the lover’s glowing eyes
The inlet to his bosom lies,

Through them we see the small faint mark
Where lore has dropped his burning spark .* 1

The days, weeks, and months passed on in work and
play, and in mutual love. Cambyses’ command: “You
must like to be with us ! ” was obeyed ; the Mesopo-
tamian spring (January, -February, March) which follows
the rains of December in those districts was over ; during
the spring equinox, the great feast of the Asiatics, the
celebration of the new year had been kept; the sun
of May began to bum with hot rays, and Hitetis felt at

1 Translated by Thomas Moore.

THE KING’S BIRTHDAY.

171

home in Babylon; and all the Persians knew that the
young Egyptian had supplanted Plnedime, Otanes 1
daughter, in the king’s favour, and was certain to become
the privileged wife of Cambyses.

The credit of the chief eunuch, Boges, declined, for it
was known that the king no longer entered the harem, and
the eunuch only owed his influence to the women who
were formerly able to gain by flattery from Cambyses
what he wanted for himself or others. The o if ended mail
consulted with the fallen favourite, Phaxlime, as to how
the Egyptian might be ruined; but their most cunning
plots and intrigues were wrecked on the love of Cambyses,
and the stainless life of the royal bride.

Phoedime, the impatient, humiliated woman, longed for
vengeance, and continually urged cautious Boges to take
some decisive step ; but he advised her to wait patiently.

At last, after several weeks, he came to her, full of joy,
and cried : “ When Bartja returns, my treasure*, then our
hour of vengeance will have come. I have thought of a
plot which will ruin the Egyptian as surely as my name is
Boges.”

With these words he rubbed his smooth, fat hands,
and, smiling as usual, looked as thoroughly satisfied as
though he had done a good deed. He did not give
Phsedime even a hint of his plan, and said, in answer to
her urgent questions : “ I would rather lay my head in a
lion’s jaws than confide my secret to a woman’s ear. I
certainly esteem your courage ; but I must ask you to re-
member that a man’s courage is shown in action, a
woman’s in obedience. Therefore, do what I tell you, and
await patiently what the future may bring.”

Nebenchari, the oculist, still tended Cassandaue, but he
kept back from all intercourse with the Persians, and on
account of his silent nature his name soon became pro-
verbial. At court every happy person was called a
“Bartja” every sullen one a “Nebenehari” He spent
the daytime in silence in the rooms of the king’s mother,
turning over great papyrus scrolls. At night, with the con-
sent of the king and the Satrap of Babylon, Tritanteehmes,
he ascended one of the high towers on the walls to observe
the stars.

172

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

The CJhaldsean priests, the ancient students of astro-
nomy, offered to let him mate his observations on the
summit of the great Temple of Bel, but he refused their
invitation, and remained in proud seclusion. When Oro-
pastes, the priest, wished to explain to him the celebrated
Babylonian gnomon, which Anaximander had also intro-
duced into Greece, he smiled scornfully, and turned his
back on the chief Median priest, saying: “ We knew that
before you knew what an hour was.”

Nitetis had greeted him kindly, but he took no notice of
her — he even seemed to avoid her purposely. When she
asked him one day : “ Do you see any evil in me, Neben-
chari, or have I offended you? ” he returned: “You are
a stranger to me ; for how should I count those among my
friends who so willingly and so quickly become faithless to
those they love best, and to the gods and customs of their
home ? ”

Boges soon saw that the oculist was offended with the
future wife of the king. He therefore tried to make him
his ally. But Nebenchari rejected his flattering overtures,
his presents, and attentions with dignity.

As often as an Angare entered the court of the palace
with news for the king, Boges hastened to inquire whence
he came, and whether he had heard anything of the army
which was fighting the Tapuri ?

At last the wished-for messenger appeared, brought the
news that the rebellious tribe had been subdued, and that
Bart j a would soon return home.

Three weeks elapsed. Messenger after messenger an-
nounced the approach of the victorious prince ; the streets
were again gaily decked; the army entered Babylon.
Bartja thanked the rejoicing crowd, and soon after was
clasped in his mother’s arms.

Cambyses, too, received his brother with sincere plea-
sure, and led him to Cassandane, when he knew that
Nitetis was with her. His heart was filled with the cer-
tainty that the Egyptian loved him. He wanted to show
Bartja that he trusted him, and called his former jealousy
foolish madness.

His love made him gentle and bind. He was never
weary of giving and of doing good. His fury was assuaged,

THE KING’S BIRTHDAY.

173

and the crows, which flew round Babylon, encircled, with
screams of hunger, the spot where the heads of the exe-
cuted were usually exhibited in great number, as a terrible
warning.

The credit of the noble Persians of the race of the
Achoemenidse, increased with the decreasing influence of
the eunuchs, a class of men who first entered Cyrus’ gates
when Media, Lydia, and Babylon were united, and who
filled the highest offices of state and court. Cambyses
began to listen to the advice of his relations rather than to
that of the eunuchs, and thus served the interests of his
country.

Old Hystaspes, the king’s cousin, the father of Darius,
and governor of the original province of Persia, who gene-
rally lived at Pasargada, Pharnaspes, his grandfather
on the mother’s side, Otanes, his uncle and father-in-law,
Intaphernes, Aspathines, Gobryas, Hydames, the general
Megabyzus, Zopyrus’ father, the ambassador Prexaspes,
noble Crcesus, the old hero Araspes, — in short, all the
noblest Persian chiefs were at this time assembled at the
king’s court.

In addition, all the nobles of the kingdom, the satraps,
or governors of the provinces, and the chief priests of all
the towns, were assembled in Babylon to celebrate the
king’s birthday . 1

All the chief officials and ambassadors from the diffe-
rent provinces came to the capital to present gifts to the
ruler, to congratulate him, and to take part in the great
sacrifices in which thousands of horses, deer, bulls, and
donkeys were killed in hoflour of the gods.

All the Persians received presents on this festive day,
and everyone was allowed to ask a favour of the king,
which was seldom refused. The inhabitants of all the
towns feasted at the king’s expense. Cambyses had
decided that his marriage with Nitetis should take place
eight days after his birthday, and all the great nobles were
to be invited. The streets of Babylon were thronged with
strangers, the gigantic palaces on either side of the Eu-

1 The king’s birthday was the greatest festival in Persia. Herod., i,
133 .

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

174

pirates were filled to overflowing, all the houses were
decorated.

The zeal of his people, and the numerous ambassadors
who represented his whole realm, did much to heighten
the king’s joy.

His pride was satisfied, and Nitetis supplied the one
thing wanting to his heart, the presence of love. He thought
he was happy for the first time in his life, and distributed
his gifts not only because a king of Persia must give, but
because he took real pleasure in giving.

The general, Megabyzus, could not sufficiently praise
the warlike deeds of Bart j a and his friends. Cambyses
embraced the young heroes, gave them gold chains and
horses, called them his brothers, and reminded Bartja of
the favour he had promised to grant when he returned
victorious.

The youth looked down and did not know how to express
his demand. The king laughed, and cried : “ Look, friends,
our young hero is blushing like a girl. I think I shall
have to grant a great favour ; he had better wait till my
birthday, and at the feast, when wine has given him
courage, he shall whisper to me what he fears to ask to-
day. Let your demand be great, Bartja. I am happy,
and wish to see all my friends happy.”

Bartja smiled at him, and went to his mother to tell
her for the first time what his heart longed for.

He feared he should meet with opposition ; but Croesus
had prepared the way well, and told the blind queen
mueh in praise of Sappho, her virtue and grace ; he had
praised her talents and accomplishments, till at last the
girls declared Ehodopis’ grandchild must have given the
old man a magic potion, and Cassandane, after a short
resistance, yielded to her favourite’s entreaty.

“ A Greek the lawful wife of a Persian prince ! 99 cried
Cassandane. “That has never happened before. What
will Cambyses say ? How shall we gain his consent ? ”

“ You need not be anxious about that, mother,” answered
Bartja. “ I am as certain of my brother’s consent as*I am
that Sappho will be an ornament to our house.”

“Croesus has told me much in praise of the maiden,
and I am glad that you have at length determined to marry ;

THE KING’S BIRTHDAY.

175

but it seems to me that it is not a fitting union for a
son of Cyrus. Have you considered that the Achoemenidoe
will scarcely acknowledge a child of this Greek woman as
their king if Cambyses remains without children P ”

“ I am not afraid, for I do not desire the crown. Be-
sides, many a Persian king was the son of a woman of
lower rank than my Sappho. I am certain that my
relations will not blame me when I show them the trea-
sure I have won on the shores of the Hile.”

“May Sappho be like our Nitctis. I love her like my
own daughter, and bless the day when she entered this
land. Her warm glances have melted your brother’s hard
nature, her goodness and gentleness beautify my darkened
age, her gentle seriousness has changed your sister Atossa
from a wild child to a maiden. Call the girls, who are
playing in the garden, that we may tell them that you are
about to bestow a new friend on them.”

<£ Pardon me, mother,” returned Bartja, “ if I beg you
not to mention the matter to my sister till we have the
consent of the king.”

“ You are right, my son. We must conceal your wish
from the girls, even if it were only to save them from
possible disappointment. The disappointment caused by
the failure of a treasured hope is harder to bear than
an unexpected sorrow. Let us, therefore, await your
brother’s consent. May the gods bostow their blessing on
you.”

Early on the morning of the royal birthday, the Persians
sacrificed on the shores of the Euphrates. A large silver
altar stood on an artificial mound. On it burned a great
fire which sent flames and pleasant odours up to heaven.
White-robed magi fed the flames with daintily- ctit pieces
of the finest sandal- wood, and stirred the flames with
bundles of rods.

The priests wore around their heads the Paiti-dhana, 1
the end of which covered their mouths, and thus kept their
impure breath from the pure fire. The sacrificial beasts
had been killed on a meadow beside the river, their flesh
cut up, strewn with salt, and spread on grass and clover,

1 AH Persians were obliged to put this square cloth to their mouths
when they prayed.

176

Aj? EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

myrtle flowers and laurel leaves, so tliat nothing dead and
"bloody should touch Auramazda’s daughter, the patient,
sacred earth.

Now Oropastes, the chief priest, approached the fire,
into which he threw fresh butter. The flames sprang
up high. AU the Persians fell on their knees and hid
their faces, for they thought the flame sprang up to its
father, the great god. Then the magus took a mortar,
placed leaves and stalks of the sacred herb, haoma, 1 in it,
crushed them, and poured the reddish juice of the plant,
the food of the gods, on the flames.

Finally, he raised his hands to heaven and sang a prayer
from the sacred books, while other priests threw fresh
butter on the flames and caused them to leap up wildly. In
this prayer the blessing of the gods was called down upon
all that was good and pure, more especially on the king and
the whole realm. The good spirits of light, life, truth,
noble deeds, the beneficent earth, the refreshing water,
glittering metals, pastures, trees — all pure beings were
praised; the evil spirits of darkness and falsehood who
deceive men, of illness, death, sin, deserts, great cold, deso-
lating droughts, unsightly dirt, and all vermin, together
with their creator, evil Angr amain jus, were cursed, and
finally all present joined in the solemn prayer : “ Purity
and glory await the just.”

The king's prayer ended the sacrificial solemnities.
Cambyses, in his rich robes, mounted a golden chariot
ornamented with cornelians, topazes, and amber, and drawn
by four snow-white Nisaean horses, and went to the great
reception hall to receive the dignitaries and the ambas-
sadors of the provinces.

As soon as the king and his retinue had gone, the
priests chose the best pieces of the sacrificial meat for
themselves, and allowed the crowd to take away what was
left. The Persian gods despised the sacrifice as food.
They only desired the souls of the sacrificed animals, and
many of the poorer people, and especially the poor priests,
lived on the meat supplied by the abundant royal sacrifices.

1 Haoma, or Soma, a plant the juice of which was believed to be the
food of the gods. It was tasted and dropped on the flames at certain
religious ceremonies, Haoma was also a god.

the king’s birthday. 177

All Persians were expected to pray as the priests had
prayed.

Their religion forbade the individual to make any re-
quest for himself to the gods. Every pious mind was to
pray for the good of all Persians, but more especially for
the king. Each individual was part of a whole, so that he
was made happy when the gods bestowed their blessing on
the realm. This sublime self-abnegation of their individu-
ality in favour of the whole community had made the
Persians great. If the king was prayed for in particular
this was because he was looked upon as the embodiment of
the whole realm.

The Egyptian priests represented the Pharaohs as actual
deities, while the Persians merely called their kings the sons
of the gods ; and yet the latter enjoyed a freer exercise
of their power, for they had known how to free them-
selves from the tutelage of the priestly caste which, as we
have seen, was accustomed to exert a strong influence on
the Pharaohs in all important matters, even though it
did not actually dictate to them.

The Asiatics were quite free from the intolerance which
made the Egyptians endeavour to banish all strange gods
from the Nile. The Babylonians, conquered by Cyrus,
were allowed to pray to their former gods after they
were incorporated with the great Asiatic kingdom. Jews,
Ionians, the inhabitants of Asia Minor, in fact, all the
races which obeyed Cambyses, remained undisturbed in the
practice of their inherited religion and customs.

Hence, on the king’s birthday, the fires of the magi were
not the only sacrificial flames lighted in Babylon. Others
were raised by the ambassadors to the feast in honour of
the gods they worshipped at home.

The great town looked from a distance like a huge
furnace, for dense clouds of smoke hovered over its towers,
obscuring the light of the hot May sun.

When the king had reached his palace the nume-
rous ambassadors formed a procession, which streamed
through the straight streets of Babylon to the palace.

Myrtles and palms, roses, poppies, and oleander blossoms,
leaves of the silver poplar and laurels, were strewn on all
the paths. Incense, myrrh, and a thousand pl?asant

178

AN EGYPTIAN PEINCESS.

odours, were wafted through the air ; flags and carpets
fluttered from every house. Although it was only a short
time since the Persians had subdued the Babylonians,
they, like all Asiatics, wore their chains, as though they had
been an ornament, as long as they feared their con-
queror’s power. The shouts and joyous acclamations of
the immense crowds rose above the loud tones of the
Median trumpets, the soft notes of the Phrygian flutes, the
cymbals and harps of the Jews, the tambourines of the
Paphlagonians, the lutes of the Ionians, the kettle-drums
of the Syrians, the shells and trumpets of the Aryans from
the mouth of the Indus, and the loud tones of the Bactrian
battle trumpet.

The perfume and splendid colours, the glittering gold and
jewels, the neighing horses, the shouting and singing, served
to stun the mind and fill all hearts with exhilarating
joy.

None of the ambassadors had come empty handed.
One brought a string of noble horses, another gigantic
elephants and monkeys ; a third, several rhinoceroses
and buffaloes covered with cloths and tassels ; a fourth,
Bactrian camels with two humps, and wearing gold rings
round their shaggy necks. Others brought wagons
filled with rare kinds of wood, ivory, costly stuffs, gold
and silver vessels, casks filled with gold dust and bars of
gold, rare plants for the gardens, and foreign animals for
the royal preserves, among them antelopes, zebras, rare
species of monkeys and birds. The birds were chained to
green trees, and were a pleasant sight as they flapped
their wings.

These presents were the tribute of the subjugated tribes.
After they had been inspected by the king, the treasurers
and scribes weighed and tested them ; they either found
them satisfactory, or refused them as insufficient. In the
latter case the niggardly givers had to pay double.

'The procession reached the gates of the state palace
without delay, for the whip-bearers and soldiers, who
formed a line on each side of the road, kept back the crowds
of people.

The royal procession to the place of sacrifice had been
splendid (five hundred richly decked horses were led behind

THE KING’S BIKTHDAY,

179

the king’s carriage), and the procession of ambassadors
might be called magnificent ; but the appearance of the
great throne room was dazzling and fairylike.

The gold throne stood in the background, raised by six
steps, each of which was guarded by two golden dogs ; over
it was a purple canopy supported by four golden pillars set
with jewels ; on its roof were two winged disks, the Feruer 1 * 3
of the king,

Behind the throne stood the fan-bearers, court officials
of high rank ; on each side the companions of the royal
table, his relations and friends, the state officials, and the
chief priests and eunuchs.

The walls and ceilings of the whole hall were covered with
glittering plates of gold, and the floor with purple carpets.
Winged bulls with human heads stood as sentinels before
the silver doors of the hall, and in the court of the palace
the bodyguards, their lances ornamented with gold and
silver apples, were drawn up. They wore golden breast-
plates over their purple coats, short swords in golden
sheatlis glittering with jewels, and high Persian caps. The
Immortals" were distinguished by their stately appearance
and hold hearing.

Officials with short ivory staves in their hands, whose duty
it was to announce and introduce strangers, led the ambas-
sadors into the hall and past the throne. When they
reached the steps, they prostrated themselves as though
about to kiss the earth, and hid their arras in their sleeves.
Before they answered any question of the king’s, a cloth was
tied round the lower part of the face so that their impure
breath might not touch his pure person.

Cambyses addressed the chief ambassadors graciously or
severely, according to the degree of satisfaction aroused by
the gifts of the provinces they represented and their obe-

1 Tlie Feruer, or Ferwer, is the spiritual part of man— his soul com-

bined with the power of judgment. It existed before birth, unites with
us when we enter the world, and leaves us when we die. It fights the
evil spirits. As soon as it leaves us the body decomposes. It carries
prayers to God, and is therefore represented as a winged disk.

3 The Immortals owed their name to the circumstance that as soon
as one of their number died or fell in battle a substitute was at once
accepted, so that the guard always numbered 10,000 warriors. Herod.,
vii. 40, 41, 84 ; Xenoph., Cyrop., vii. 1, viii. 1, 2, 3.

180

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

dience. Wlien the embassy of the Jews approached his
throne, at the end of the procession, he graciously stopped
the Hebrews, who were led by two grave men with sharply
cut features.

The first of them was clad in the dress of the noblest and
wealthiest Babylonians, the other wore a pnrple garment
woven in one piece and ornamented with bells and tassels ;
it was kept together by a bine, white, and red girdle, and a
blue ephod. A little bag with the TTrim and Thummim hung
from his neck, and was adorned with twelve jewels set in
gold, and bearing the names of the tribes of Israel. A
white fillet, the ends of which fell below his shoulders, was
wound round the grave brow of the high priest.

“Iam glad to see you again, Belshazzar,” cried the king,
to the man in Babylonian dress. “ Since my father's death,
you have not entered my gates.”

The man to whom he spoke, bowed humbly, and answered:
“ The grace of my lord makes your slave happy. If, in
spite of his unworthiness, you let the sun of your favour
shine on your servant, grant the great wish of my poor
nation, which your great father allowed to return to the
land of its fathers. This old man at my side, Joshua, the
high priest of our God, did not fear to undertake the
journey to Babylon in order to ask it of you. May his
speech be pleasant to your ears, and his words find a fertile
spot in your heart.”

“ I can guess what you would ask,” cried Cambyses.
“ A m I right, priest, if I think that your request once more
concerns the building of the temple in your home ? ”

“ Nothing can remain hidden from my lord,” answered
the priest, bowing low. “ Tour slaves at Jerusalem yearn
to look on the face of their ruler, and entreat you, through
me, to visit the land of their fathers, and to permit them
to continue the building of the temple which your gracious
father, may God be merciful to him, allowed.”

The king smiled and said : “ You know how to put your
request with the cunning of your race, and you have chosen
uhe right moment and the right word. On my birthday
I can scarcely refuse the request of a faithful people. I
promise them to visit as soon as possible the good town of
Jerusalem and the land of your fathers.”

THE KING’S BIETHDAY.

181

“You will gladden jour servants,” answered the priest.,
“Our olive ti'ees and vines will bring forth more beautiful
fruit at your approach. Our gates shall be made wide to
receive you, and Israel will greet its ruler with rejoicings,
and be doubly happy if it salutes him as the new archi-
tect ”

“ Stop, stop, priest I ” cried Cambyses. “ Your first wish
shall be fulfilled, as I said, for I have long cherished the
desire to become acquainted with wealthy Tyre, golden
Sidon, and your Jerusalem with its wonderful superstitions ;
but if I were to permit you to continue building your
temple, what would remain for me to grant you next
year?

“ Your servants will welcome their lord with gifts, not
with entreaties,” answered the priest. “ But now speak
the word, and permit us to build a house for the God of our
fathers.”

“ Strange people, these Israelites,” cried Cambyses. “ I
hear that you believe in one God, who cannot be represented
by an image, who is merely a spirit. Do you think this
unsubstantial being desires a house. Truly your great
spirit must be weak and pitiable if he needs shelter from
the wind and rain, protection from the heat which he him-
self created. If your deity is omnipresent, like ours, fall
down before him and pray to him everywhere as we do, and
you may be certain that you will be heard everywhere,”

“ The God of Israel hears his people everywhere,” an-
swered the high priest. “ He heard us when, captives of
the Pharaoh, we languished far from home. H© heard us
when we wept by Babel’s stream. He chose your father as
the instrument of our freedom, and will hear my prayer
to-day and soften your heart. Great king, grant your ser-
vants a common place of sacrifice for the twelve scattered
tribes of their people, an altar on whose steps they may
pray together for you and your house, and in which they
may celebrate their festivals. If you grant this favour, we
will not cease to call down the grace of God on your head
and his curses on your enemies.”

" Permit my brethren to build their temple,” entreated
Belshazzar, the richest and most respected of the Jews
who had remained in Babylon, a man whom Cyrus had

182

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

treated with great respect, and whom he had repeatedly
consulted.

4 * Will you keep the peace if I grant your wish?”
asked the king. “ My father allowed you to begin the
work and supplied you with means to complete it. United
and happy, you returned home from Babylon, but the
building of the temple gave rise to disputes and quarrels.
The most respected Syrians entreated Cyrus in numerous
petitions to forbid the completion of the temple, and
only a short time ago your countrymen, the Samaritans,
begged me to interrupt” the work. Pray, then, to your
God where and how you like, but I cannot allow you to
continue an undertaking which causes quarrels and disunion
among you.”

44 Would you on this day refuse a favour which your
father granted in a document ? ” asked Belshazzar.

44 A document ? ”

44 It must still be preserved in the archives of your realm.”

44 As soon as you find it,” returned the king, 44 1 will not
only consent to the building, but will even assist you. My
father’s will is as holy as a command of the gods, in my eyes.”

44 Will you allow us with the aid of your scribes to search
the archives at Ecbatana, for that is where the document
must be ? ”

44 1 consent, but fear you will find nothing. Priest, tell
your countrymen I am satisfied with the equipment of the
warriors they have sent to Persia to fight against the
Massagetse. My general, Megabyzus, praises their bear-
ing and appearance. May they prove as brave as they
were in my father’s wars. Belshazzar, I invite you to my
wedding with the Egyptian. Tell your countrymen,
Meshach and Abednego, 1 the first men in Babylon after
you, that I expect them at my table to-night.”

“ The God of Israel grant you happiness and blessing!”
said Belshazzar, bowing low.

44 1 accept your wish,” cried the king; 44 for I do not
consider your great spirit, who is said to have performed
wonderful miracles, devoid of power. Another thing, Bel-
shazzar : several J ews tb e other day mocked at the gods of the

1 We have chosen these names mentioned by Daniel because we were
unable to find any better suited for Jews of rank in Babylon.

THE KING’S BIRTHDAY.

183

Babylonians, and were pnnislied for it. Warn your
countrymen. They make themselves hated by their super-
stitions, and the arrogance with which they venture to
declare that your great spirit is the only true God. Take
example by ns, for we are satisfied with what we have, and
do not interfere with the possessions of others. Do not
think yourselves better than the rest of the world. I wish
yon well, for your pride pleases me ; but beware lest it turn,
to vainglory and prove your destruction.”

The Jews withdrew disappointed, but not without hope*,
for Belshazzar was quite positive that the document relating
to the building of the temple must be in the archives at
Ecbatana.

The Jews were followed by the embassies of the Syrians
and the Ionic Greeks. The last in the procession were
wild-looking men of strange mien, dressed in the skins of
animals. Their belts, shoulder-straps, axes and lances,
were roughly wrought of solid gold, and on their high fur
caps they wore gold ornaments. In front of them went, a
man in Persian dress, whose face showed that he belonged
to the same race as the others.

The king looked with astonishment at the approaching
embassy. His face darkened ; he signed to the introducer
of strangers, and cried : “ What do these people want of
me ? If I am not mistaken, they belong to those Mas-
sagetse who will soon have cause to tremble at my ven-
geance. # Tell them, Gobryas, that a well-equipped" army
stands in the Median plains, prepared to give them an
answer with the sword to their demands/’

The official bowed, and said: “These people entered
Babylon this morning during the sacrifice with great loads
of the purest gold, with which to purchase your goodwill.
When they heard that a great feast was being held in your
honour, they urged me to obtain for them the favour of
appearing before your face this very day, and of informing
you with what messages their countrymen have sent them
to your gates.”

The king’s clouded brow cleared. He looked keenly at
the tall, bearded figures of the Massagetse, and cried:

“ Let them approach ! I am curious to know what pro-
posals my father’s murderers will dare to make to me/’

184

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

G-obryas made a sign to tlie tallest and oldest of the
Massagetse, who, accompanied by the man in Persian dress,
approached the throne and began to speak in his native
tongue in a loud voice. His companion, one of Cyrus*
Massagetean prisoners of war, who had learned Persian,
translated to the king, sentence by sentence, the address of
the spokesman of the nomads.

“We know,** he began, “that you, great sovereign, are
angry with the Massagetae because your father fell in a
war against our power which he himself had caused,
though we had never offended him.* 9

“ My father was perfectly justified in punishing you,**
the king interrupted, “ for your queen, Tomyris, dared to
refuse him when he sought her hand."

“ Be not angry, 0 king,” returned the Massagete ; “but
I cannot conceal from you that our whole nation approved
of her refusal. Even a child could see that aged Cyrus
wished to add our queen to the number of his wives, be-
cause his insatiable craving for land made aim hope that
he would gain our land as well as our queen."

Cambyses remained silent, but the ambassador con-
tinued : “ Cyrus had a bridge built over the river Araxes,
our boundary. We feared nothing, for Tomyris sent him
word that he might save himself the trouble of building
bridges, for we would receive him in our territory, and let
him cross the Araxes unmolested, or we would meet him in
his own land.

“ Cyrus determined, so prisoners of war afterwards told
us, in accordance with the advice of Croesus, the dethroned
King of Lydia, to seek us in our own territory and destroy
us by stratagem. He sent but a small portion of his army
against us, allowed us to destroy it by means of our arrows
and lances, and let us seize his camp without a blow. We
thought we had conquered the invincible man, and feasted
on your rich stores. We were poisoned by the sweet drink
you call wine, which we had never tasted before, and fell
into a sleep which resembled a stupor. Your army at-
tacked us and slaughtered a number of our warriors.
You took many prisoners, among them heroic Spargapises,
our queen’s young son.

“ When he heard that his mother was ready to make

THE KINOES BIRTHDAY.

IPS

peace, if you would set him free, the noble hero begged that
his chains might be removed. This was done. When he
was again able to use his hands, he seized a sword and
pierced his breast, with the cry : * I sacrifice myself for my
people ! ’

“We had scarcely received the news of the noble
death of the beloved youth when we assembled all the
forces spared by swords and chains. Even boys and old
men armed themselves and marched against your father to
avenge Spargapises, and sacrifice themselves for the free-
dom of the Massagetas as he had done. We met ; you
were defeated; Cyrus fell. Tomyris found his body
in a pool of blood, and cried: * Insatiable man! Now,
I think, you are sated with blood.’ The host of nobles
whom you call Immortals drove us hack and carried off
your father’s body from our midst. You yourself
stood at their head and fought like a lion. I recognize
you. Know that this sword by my side inflicted the
wound which adorns your manly face like a purple badge
of honour.”

A thrill passed through the listeners, who trembled for
the life of the bold speaker. Cambyses, instead of being
angry, nodded approvingly, and said : “ I too recognize you.
On that day you rode a fiery red horse covered with gold
ornaments. We Persians know how to honour courage ;
you too shall experience this. My friends, I never saw a
sharper sword, a more indefatigable arm, than that of this
man. Bow before him, for heroism deserves the respect
of the brave, whether it be found in friend or foe. Mas-
sagete, I advise you to return home soon and arm yourself,
for the memory of your courage and strength increases my
desire to fight with you. By Mithra, strong foes like you
are better than weak friends. I will let you return home
safely ; but do not remain too long near me, else the thought
of the vengeance I owe my father’s soul may awaken iny
wrath, and your life will approach its end.”

A bitter smile played round the bearded mouth of the
warrior, as he answered the king : “ We Massagete think
the soul of your father has been too terribly avenged. The
only son of our queen, the pride of our people, who was not
inferior to Cyrus, nor less noble, died for him, The blood

186

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

of fifty thousand of my countrymen, sacrifices to the dead,
soaked the shores of the Araxes, while only thirty thousand
of your men fell. We fought as bravely as you, but
your armour is stronger, and resists the arrows which
pierce our furs. To conclude, most cruel vengeance of all,
you killed our noble queen, Tomyris.”

“ Tomyris dead ! ” cried Cambyses, interrupting the
speaker. “We Persians are said to have killed a woman !
What happened to your queen ? Answer me ? ”

“ Tomyris died, ten months ago, of grief for the death
of her only son. I may therefore say that she too fell a
sacrifice to the war with Persia and to your father’s soul.”

“ She was a great woman,” murmured Cambyses. Then,
raising his voice, he continued : “ Truly, Massagetae, I begin
to think the gods themselves have undertaken to avenge
my father on you. But great as your loss may appear,
Spargapises, Tomyris, and fifty thousand Massagetae do
not equal the soul of a king of Persia, much less of
Cyrus.”

“In our country,” returned the ambassador, “all are
equal in death, and the soul of a dead king is not more
important than that of a poor servant. Your father
was a great man, but what we suffered for his sake is
monstrous. Know, 0 king, that I have not told you all
the misfortunes which came upon our land after that
dreadful war. After Tomyris’ death, dissensions broke out
among us. Two men thought they had equal rights to the
throne. Half the people fought for one, half for the other.
A dreadful civil war, followed by a devastating pestilence,
thinned the ranks of our warriors. If you make war on us
we cannot resist you, and we therefore offer you peace and
heavy loads of gold.”

“ Then you will submit without a blow ? ” cried Cam-
byses. “ The size of my army assembled in the Median
plain will show you that I expected greater things of your
heroes. We cannot fight without foes. I will dismiss my
warriors and send you a governor. I welcome you among
the subjects of my realm.”

At the king’s words the hero coloured over face and
brow with burning red, and answered in an agitated
voice : —

Tins king’s biktheat*

187

“You are mistaken, 0 king, if you flunk we have for-
gotten our former courage, or are anxious to become slaves.
But we know your power, and know that the small number
of our people whom war and pestilence have spared can-
not resist your countless hosts. Honestly and frankly we
confess this ; but at the same time we declare than we will
continue to govern ourselves and never submit to receive
laws and commands from a Persian satrap. You look at
me in wrath, but I can bear your glance, and repeat what
I have said.”

“ And I,” cried Cambyses, “ give you this answer. Yon
must choose one of two things. Either you submit to my
sceptre, join the Persian empire under the name of the Mas-
sagetean province, and receive a satrap as my representative
with all due respect, or you will consider yourselves my
enemies, and my army will force you to accept the condi-
tions I now offer you in kindness. To-day you may still
gain a master who wishes you well ; to-morrow you will
have to fear me as conqueror and avenger, lb ‘licet well
before you decide.”

“ We have considered everything beforehand,” answered
the warrior, “ and have seen that we, tho free sons of the
steppes, would far rather die than be slaves. Hear what
the council of our elders tells you through me. We Mas-
sagetse have become too weak to resist you Persians,
through no fault of our own, but through the great visitation
of our god, the sun. We know you have prepared a great
army against us, and we are ready to purchase freedom
and liberty by an annual payment of gold. But if in
spite of this you try to conquer us by force of arms, you
yourselves will be the greatest sufferers. As soon as an
army approaches the Araxeres, we, our women and children,
will all depart and seek another home, for we do not dwell
in fortified towns and houses as you do, but are used to
wander about on our horses and live in tents. We will
take our gold with us, and fill up and destroy the hidden
mines, where you might find new treasures. We know all
the places where the precious metals lie, and are ready to
give them to you in great quantities if you grant us liberty ;
but if you wage war on us, you will find nothing but an
uninhabited desert, and an inaccessible foe who may prove

188

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

terrible to yon as soon as lie has recovered from the heavy
losses which thinned his ranks. Grant us peace and free-
dom, and we are prepared to send you every year gold and
five thousand swift horses of the steppes, and, whenever
serious danger threatens the Persian realm, we will assist
you.”

The ambassador ceased. Cambyses looked down thought-
fully, hesitated long before he answered, and at last, rising
from his throne, said : “ We wall take council at the banquet
to-day, and tell you to-morrow what answer to take to your
people. Gobryas, see that these men are well treated, and
to him who wounded my face, send a portion of the best
food from my own table.”

CHAPTER. XV.

A LETTER FROM EGYPT.

M EANWHILE Nitetis sat in her house in the hanging
gardens, alone, and lost in grief. To-day, for the
first time, she had taken part in the sacrifice which was
attended by all the wives of the king; she had knelt
in the open air before the fire altar, and, while strange
hymns were chanted around her, she tried to pray to her
new gods.

Most of the inmates of the royal harem saw the Egyptian
for the first time at this ceremony, and, instead of raising
their eyes to their deity, kept them fixed on her. The
inquisitive, ill-natured glances of her rivals disturbed her ;
the loud music which sounded from the town distracted her.
She was moved with sorrow when she thought of the
reverent prayers she had uttered by the side of her mother
and sister to the gods of her childhood, in the solemn,
oppressive silence of the huge temples at home ; and, in
spite of her desire to pray to the gods that they might
bestow happiness and prosperity on the beloved king, she
was unable to attain to a truly devout state of mind.

Cassandane and Atossa knelt by her side and joined
with all their hearts in the hymns of the magi, which
were merely empty words to the Egyptian’s heart.

It cannot be denied that these prayers contain many
very poetic passages, but they are rendered tedious by the
constant repetitions of the names of a number of good and
evil spirits who are incessantly invoked. They awakened
deep piety in the hearts of the Persian women, for from
their childhood they had learned to look on them as the
holiest and noblest of songs. These hymns had accom-

190

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

parried their first prayers, and they were precious in their
eyes, like everything that we inherit from our ancestors,
and that we learn to look at in our childhood, the most
impressionable time of our life, as venerable and divine.
But they could make but little impression on the mind of
the Egyptian, who had been accustomed to the most beauti-
ful G-reek poetry. That which she had acquired with so
much trouble had not yet become a part of her inmost being,
and while the Persians performed the outward ceremonies
of the service as a perfect matter of course, she was obliged
to exert herself in order not to forget the prescribed forms
and expose herself before her rivals, who watched her with
jealous eyes. A few minutes before the sacrifice she had re-
ceived the first letter from Egypt. It lay unopened on
her dressing-table, and she thought of it whenever she
prepared to pray. What news did it contain ? How were
her parents ? Had Tachot resigned herself to the parting
with her and the beloved prince ?

When the ceremony was ended she embraced Cassandane
and Atossa with a deep sigh, as though released from
a threatening danger. Then she was carried to her
dwelling, and, as soon as she had arrived, she hastened
eagerly to the table on which lay the precious letter. Her
chief attendant, the same who on her journey had
dressed her for the first time in Persian robes, received
her with a sly and significant smile, which changed to
wonder when her mistress did not deign to glance at the
ornaments which lay on the table but seized the longed-
for letter.

Hitetis hastily broke the seal, and was about to sit
down to begin the troublesome work of reading, when
the servant approached her, clasping her hands, and cried :
44 By Mithra, mistress, you must be ill, or is there, perhaps,
a charm in that piece of grey stuff which makes him who
looks on it blind to all that is beautiful? Put it aside
quickly. Look at the lovely things the great king, Au-
ramazda grant him victory, sent you while you were at
divine service. Look at this costly purple garment with
white stripes, and the rich silver embroidery. See this
tiara, with the royal diamonds. Do you not know that
these gifts are more than a common present P Cambyses

A LETTER FROM EGYPT.

191

begs — begs, the messenger said, not commands — that yon
will wear these splendid garments at the banquet to-night.
How angry Phsedime will be ! How the other women will
stare ! They never received such presents ! Till to-day
Cassandane, the king’s mother, was the only woman at
court who was allowed to wear purple and diamonds.
By these presents Cambyses makes you his great mother’s
equal, and before the eyes of the whole world announces
that you are his favourite wife and queen. Please, please
let me deck you in this new splendour. How lovely you
will look ; how jealous, how angry the others will be ! I
wish I could be present when you enter the room. Come,
mistress, let me take off your simple robe and dress you,
as beseems our new queen.”

Nitetis had listened in silence to the chatterbox, and
looked at the costly gifts with a smile. She was woman
enough to be pleased with them. Were they not sent
by the man whom she loved better than life ? Did not
these gifts prove that she was more to the king than
all his other wives, that Cambyses loved her P The letter
she had longed for, fell unread from her hands. She
silently yielded to her maid’s wish, and in a short time
stood in full splendour. The royal purple increased her
majestic beauty, and the high glittering tiara seemed to add
to the stature of her beautiful, slender figure. When the
metal mirror on the table showed her, for the first time,
the noble figure of a queen in her state robes, a new
expression came over her face. It was as though some of
her lord’s pride was reflected there. The light-hearted
maid involuntarily sank on her knees when the bright
glance of the woman who was loved by the mightiest
of kings met her approving look. Nitetis gazed for
a short time at the girl who knelt in the dust before
her, then, blushing with shame, she shook her beau-
tiful head, bent down, lifted her up kindly, gave her a
gold bracelet, and kissed her brow. Then her eyes fell
on the letter on the ground, and she bade her leave
her. Mandane almost ran from her mistress’s room to
show the splendid present to her subordinates. Nitetis
threw herself into the ivory armchair beside the table,
while her heart and eyes overflowed with bliss. She

192

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

uttered a short prayer to her favourite Egyptian goddess,
Hathor, kissed the golden chain which Cambyses had given
her when he sprang into the water, pressed her lips on the
letter from home, unrolled it slowly, almost overcome by
her deep happiness, while she sank back into the purple
cushions and murmured :

“How happy I am. Poor letter, she who wrote you
little thought that Nitetis would leave you on the floor
unread for a quarter of an hour.”

She began to read full of joy, but soon her smiles gave
way to a grave expression, and when she had ended the
letter, she again let it fall to the ground. The eyes, whose
haughty glance had forced her servant to fall down before
her, were filled with tears. Her proud head lay on the
jewels which covered the table, tears fell on the pearls and
diamonds, as strange a contrast as the proud tiara and its
crushed wearer.

The letter ran as follows :

“ Ladice, wife of Amasis, Queen of Upper and Lower
Egypt, to her daughter Nitetis, wife of the great King
of Persia. — It is not our fault, dear daughter, that you
have been so long without news from home. The trireme
which was to carry the letters intended for you to Sidon
was stopped by Samian ships, which ought to be called
pirate ships, and was taken to the harbour of Astypalaia . 1

“ The insolence of Poly crates, who seems to succeed in
all he undertakes, increases more and more. No vessel is
safe from his pirates, since he defeated the Lesbians and
Milesians, who tried to oppose this lawless state of affairs.
The sons of Pisistratus are his friends ; Lygdamis is
bound to him, and needs Samian help to preserve his
power over Naxos. He has won over the Greek Am-
phictyons by giving the neighbouring island of Rhenia to
Apollo of Delos. All seafaring nations suffer great
damage from his fifty-oared boats, which bear crews of
twenty thousand men ; but no one dares attack him, for he
is surrounded by splendidly trained bodyguards, and has
made his citadel and the excellent moles of the harbour of
Samos almost impregnable.

1 The fortified citadel of Poly crates in Samoo.

A LETTER FROM EGYPT,

193

** The merchants who followed Colams 1 to the west, and
those pirate ships which show no mercy, will make Samos
the richest of islands and Polycrates the mightiest of
men, unless, as your father says, the gods, envious of the
perfect happiness of a mortal, prepare a sudden downfall
for him.

“ Amasis, who ffeared this, advised his old friend, Poly-
crates, to conciliate the envious gods, "by depriving him-
self of his dearest treasure in such a way that it could
never return to him. Polycrates followed your father’s
advice, and threw the most valuable seal ring which he
possessed from the top of the round tower of his citadel
into the sea. It was the work of Theodorus, a sardonyx of
great size, held by two dolphins, on which a lyre, the crest
of the despot, was engraved with wonderful skill.

“ Six days later his cooks found the ring in the mouth of
a fish. Polycrates at once sent us news of this wonderful
incident. Your father shook his grey head sorrowfully,
instead of rejoicing, and said, he saw that no one could
escape his fate. The same day he renounced his old friend,
Polycrates, and sent him word that he would try to forget
him, in order to avoid the grief he would feel at seeing a
man he loved meet with misfortune.

“Poly crates received the message with laughter, and
sent back the letters which his pirate ships had taken from
our trireme, with a scornful greeting. Henceforth we shall
send your letters by way of Syria.

“ You may wonder why I tell you this long story, which
will interest you less than other news from home. It is to
prepare you for your father’s condition. Do you recognize
the gay, cheerful, careless Amasis in the gloomy message
he sent his Samian friend?

** Alas, my husband has cause enough for sorrow, and
your mother’s eyes have been wet with tears since your
departure from Egypt. Prom your sister’s sick bed, I
hasten to your father to comfort him and guide his steps.
I make use of the night to write these lines, though I need
sleep.

1 A Samian sea captain who was driven from Uis course during a
voyage to Egypt, and was the first Greek to pass through the Pillars of
Hercules.

194

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

“Here I was interrupted by the nurses, who summoned
me to Tachot, your sister, your faithful friend.

“ I cannot tell you how often the dear girl uttered your
name in her delirium, how carefully she guards the wax
portrait of you, which is such a wonderful likeness, and
proves the height to which G-reek art has attained and the
skill of great Theodorus. To-morrow we shall send to iEgina,
so that a copy may he made in gold. The fragile wax suffers
from contact with the hot lips and hands of your sister.

“ Now, my daughter, summon all your fortitude, and I
will summon all my strength to tell you in proper order
what the gods have decreed to our house.

“Tachot did not cease to weep for three days after your
departure. All our comforting words, all your father’s ex-
hortations, all sacrifices and prayers, were unavailing to
soften or lessen the poor child’s grief. Her tears ceased
at last on the fourth day. Apparently resigned, she
answered us in a low voice when we questioned her. The
greater part of the day she sat silent at her spindle. The
usually skilful fingers broke the threads, or lay idle for
hours in the dreamer’s lap. She, who formerly laughed so
heartily at your father’s jokes now listened to them with
apathy. When I admonished her as a mother, she listened
in anxious excitement.

“ "When I kissed her brow and begged her to control her-
self, she sprang up, blushing deeply, threw herself on my
breast, sat down again at her spindle, and drew the thread
with almost feverish haste. After half an hour, her hands
again lay idle in her lap ; her eyes were dreamily gazing
before her or on the ground. If we forced her to take part
in a festival, she moved apathetically among the guests.

“ When we took her with us on the great pilgrimage to
Bubastis, where the Egyptians forget their gravity and
dignity, and the Nile and its shores resemble a great stage
where intoxicated men perform plays that lead to the
wildest extravagances ; when, for the first time in her life,
she saw at Bubastis a whole nation yielding to uncon-
trolled joy and wild mirth, she woke from her silent brood-
ing and began to weep as on the first day of your departure.

“ Sad, almost despairing, we took the poor child back to
Sais.

A LETTER FROM EGYPT.

195

“ Slie looked like a goddess. She was thinner, but we
thought taller. Her complexion was of an almost trans-
parent white, with a slight red tinge which I can only liken
to the colour of a young rose leaf or the early red of dawn.
Her eyes are still wonderfully beautiful and bright. It
seems to me as though she saw what happens in heaven
and on earth, I think she sees into other worlds,

“ As the temperature of her hands and brow increased,
and a slight shiver sometimes passed over her delicate
frame, we summoned Imhotep, the best physician, from
Thebes to Sais. The experienced man shook his head
when he saw your sister, and prophesied that she was
on the brink of a serious illness. She was no longer
allowed to spin, and was forbidden to speak much. She
was obliged to take all manner of draughts, her sufferings
were exorcised, the stars and oracles were questioned, great
sacrifices and gifts were offered to the gods. The priest of
Hatlxor, from the island of Philte, sent us a sacred amulet
for the patient ; the priest of Osiris at Abvdus sent a lock
of Osiris’ hair set in gold ; and Heithotep” the chief priest
of our patron goddess, arranged a great sacrifice which was
to restore your sister’s health.

“ Heither physicians, exorcisms, nor amulets were of any
avail. Heithotep at last did not conceal from me that
Tachot’s stars gave little hope. The sacred bull of Mem-
phis died duiing these days, the priests found no heart in
his entrails, and announced misfortune to Egypt. Ho
new Apis has yet appeared. It is thought that the gods
are angry with your father’s realm, and the oracle of Buto
declared that the immortals will not again bless Egypt
with their favour, till all the temples erected ou the black
earth 1 are destroyed and all who sacrificed to the false
gods banished from Egypt.

“ The evil omens spoke the truth. Tachot was al tacked
by a raging fever. During nine days she hovered between
life and death, and she is still so weak that she has to be
carried about, and cannot move hand or foot.

“ During the celebration of the feast of Bubastis, Amasis 1

1 Egypt, which was called Cham, the black or black-earthed land, by
its ancient inhabitants.

196

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

eyes became inflamed, as is often the case in Egypt . 1
Instead of resting them, he still worked as usual from
sunrise till noon. During the worst days of your sister’s
illness he would not leave her bedside in spite of our warn-
ings. Let me be brief, my daughter. The disease became
worse and worse, and on the day that we heard of your
safe arrival in Babylon, Arnasis became blind.

“ The strong, joyous man has become sick, gloomy, and
old since that day, for the death of the Apis, the unlucky
constellations and oracles, frightened him. The night in
which he lives has dulled his cheerfulness. The conscious-
ness that he cannot do without assistance deprives him of
his firm will, and he who was once so bold and independent,
is about to become a tool of the priests.

“He spends hours in the temple of Keith in order to
pray and sacrifice. He is employing a number of work-
men to build a dwelling for his own mummy, and an equal
number of workmen have begun to level to the ground the
sanctuary of Apollo, begun by the Greeks at Memphis.
He calls his and Tachot’s misfortunes a just punishment
inflicted by the immortal gods.

“ His visits to the patient’s bedside bring her little com-
fort, for, instead of kindly encouraging her, he strives to
prove to her, that she too has deserved the punishment
of the gods. With all the strength of his eloquence
he tries to make the poor child forget earth altogether,
and by constant prayers and sacrifices to obtain the grace
of Osiris and the judges of the Nether World. Thus
he tortures the soul of our dear invalid, who would
gladly live. Perhaps my nature has retained more of its
Greek character than befits the Queen of Egypt ; but death
is so long, life so short, that I call those sages unwise who
by constantly thinking about death give him power over
ialf their lives.

“I have again been interrupted. Imhotep, the great
physician, came to see our patient. He gives little hope ;
he even seems surprised that her frail body has so long
resisted the sharp assault of death. She would have died
long ago, he said yesterday, if she were not supported by

1 Egyptian ophthalmia must have raged at an early period on the
Nile. Egyptian oculists were famous at the time of our story.

A LETTER FROM EGYPT.

11)7

her firm determination to live, and by a ceaseless longing.
If she wished to die, she could die as we pass from dreams
to sleep. If her longing were satisfied, she might live for
years ; but it is not very probable. If her hope remains
unanswered for a short time longer, she will be destroyed
and killed by the veiy longing, which now prevents her from
dying. Can you guess what she yearns for? Our Taehot
was bewitched by your husband’s bi’other. I do not mean
to say — what Ameneman, the priest, believes — that the
youth made use of charms to inspire her with love,
for less beauty and grace than Bart j a possesses would
suffice to gain the heart of an innocent girl, almost a
child still. But her passion is so strong, the change in her
character so great, that I myself sometimes believe in
supernatural influences. Shortly before your departure I
saw that your sister was attracted towards the Persian. We
thought that her first tears must be ascribed to your de-
parture; but when she became silent and dreamy, Ibycus,
who was staying at our court, noticed that the maiden was
possessed by a sti'ong passion.

“ Once when she sat dreaming at the spindle, he, in my
presence, whispered Sappho’s love song in her ear :

* Dear mother, in good sooth
I cannot weave, too much I love the youth,

Through slender Aphrodite’s wiles.’ *

44 She turned pale at the words, and asked : * Did you
write those words, Ibycus ? *

“ 1 No,’ he returned ; ‘ Sappho, the Lesbian, sang them
fifty years ago.’

“ 1 Fifty years ago,’ repeated Taehot, thoughtfully.

“ ‘ Love is always the same,’ interrupted the poet. * As
Sappho loved fifty years ago, the world loved ages past,
and will love centuries hence.’

“ The sick girl smiled assent ; and from that time, when
she sat idle at the spindle, she often hummed the song in
a low voice.

“ In spite of this, we carefully avoided every question
which would have reminded her of the man she loved.
When she was seized by the paroxysms of fever, her hot

1 u Sappho,” ed. Neue, xxxii.

198

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

lips never wearied of repeating Bartja’s name. When she
was conscious again, we told her of her delirious words.

“ Then she opened her heart to me, and said in solemn
tones, looking towards heaven like a prophetess : * I know
I shall not die till I have seen him again/

“ The other day she was carried to the temple, because
she longed to pray in the sacred halls. When the service
was over, and we passed some children playing in the
court, she noticed a little girl eagerly telling her friends
something. She commanded her hearers to put down the
litter, and summoned the child.

“ ‘ What were you saying ? 1 she asked the child.

“ 1 1 was telling the others about my eldest sister/

" * May I hear it P * asked Tachot, so kindly that the
child began without shyness : ‘ Batau, my sister’s be-
trothed, returned yesterday, unexpectedly, from Thebes.
When the star of Isis rose, he suddenly came on to our roof,
where Kerimama was playing draughts with my father.
He brought her a beautiful golden bridal wreath/
Tachot kissed the child, and gave her her costly fan.
When we reached home, she smiled at me roguishly, and
said: ‘You know, dearest mother, that the words of
children in the forecourt of the temple are looked on as
oracles. If the child did not lie, he must come. Did you
not hear that he will bring the bridal wreath? Oh, mother,
I know — I know I shall see him again/

“ When, yesterday, I asked Tachot if she had a message
for you, she bade me tell you that she sent you many
greetings and kisses, and thought of writing to you herself
when she was stronger, as she had much to confide to you.
She has just brought me the letter I have enclosed, which
is for you alone, and which she wrote with great difficulty.

“ How I must hasten to end my letter, as the messenger
has been waiting for a long while.

“ I should like to tell you something pleasant, but wher-
ever I turn my eyes I see nothing but sadness. Your brother
submits more and more to the priests; and, guided by
Heithotep, carries on the affairs of the state, for your poor
blind father, Amasis, leaves Psamtik perfect liberty, and
says it matters little to him whether the prince takes his
place a little sooner or later.

A LETT Elt FROM EGYPT.

199

“ He did not prevent your brother from removing by
force the children of Phanes, the former commander of
the bodyguard, from the house of the Greek Ehodopis,
He even allowed his son to enter into negotiations with the
descendants of the two hundred thousand warriors who
emigrated to Ethiopia on account of the favour shown by
Psamtik I. to the Greek mercenaries, so that the latter
might be dismissed if the Ethiopians consented to return.
The negotiations were not successful ; but Psamtik
has grossly insulted the Greeks by treating Phanes’
children unworthily. Aristomachus threatened to leave
Egypt with ten thousand of the best mercenaries. He de-
manded his discharge, when Plianes 1 son was murdered by
your brother’s orders. Suddenly the Spartan vanished, no
one knows whither. The Greeks were bribed by large
sums of money to remain in Egypt.

“Amasis allowed all this to take place in silence, and
spent his time in sacrifice and prayer. He looked on
calmly while his son insulted all classes, or sought to
win them over in an unworthy manner. The Greek and
Egyptian commanders and nomarchs from different pro-
vinces all assure me that this state of things is unbearable.
Ho one knows what to expect from the new ruler, who
commands to-day what yesterday he passionately refused,
who threatens to destroy the beautiful bond that till now
bound the Egyptians to their king.

“ Farewell, my daughter ! Think of your poor friend,
of your mother. Pardon your parents, if you should learn
what we have so long concealed from you. Pray for
Tachot. Greet Croesus and our young Persian friends.
Give Bartja your sister’s greetings. I must ask him to
look on them as the message of a dying girl. Could you
not send your sister a token that the young Persian has
not quite forgotten her ?

“ Farewell 1 May you he happy in your prosperous new
home,”

CHAPTER XVL

BOGES* PLOT.

T HE golden dawn brings rainy days, and joyous an-
ticipation is often a harbinger of sad events.

Nitetis bad looked forward with joy to tbis letter, which
was destined to pour such bitterness on her sweet bliss.
It had destroyed, as though by enchantment, a beautiful
part of her existence, the happy recollection of the sharers
of the pure joys of her childhood. As she sat weeping in
her purple robes, she thought of nothing but her mother's
sorrow, her father's suffering, her sister's illness. The
joyous future which smiled on her, and showed her happi-
ness, love and power, faded from her sight. The privileged
bride of Cambyses forgot the lover who awaited her ; the
future Queen of Persia felt bitter grief for the misfortunes
of the royal family of Egypt.

The sun had long reached its noonday height when her
maid, Mandane, entered the room again to put the last
touches to her mistress’s dress.

“ She is sleeping,” thought the girl. " I will let her
rest for half an hour. The sacrifice has tired her, and she
must appear at the feast in all her freshness and beauty,
and outshine the others as the moon does the stars.”

Unheard by her mistress, she crept from the room, the
windows of which offered a splendid view of the hanging
gardens, the great town, the river, and the luxuriant plain
of Babylon, and went into the garden.

Without looking round she ran to a flower-bed to pick
some roses. Her eyes were fixed on the new bracelet, for
the rays of the afternoon sun were reflected in its splendid
jewels, and she did not notice a richly dressed man who

BOGES* TLOT. 201

was peering with outstretched neck through a window
into the room where Nitetis wept.

The eavesdropper turned to the girl as soon as he became
aware of her presence, and Said in a shrill boyish voice :
“ Welcome, fair Mandane.”

The maid was startled, and when she recognized the
chief eunuch Boges, she said: “It is not right of you to
frighten a poor girl. By Mithra, I should have fainted if
I had seen you before I heard you. Women’s voices do
not surprise me, but a man is as rare in this lonely spot as
a swan in the desert.”

Boges smiled graciously, though he understood the mali-
cious allusion to his voice, and rubbing his hands said:
“ Certainly, it is hard for a beautiful young pigeon to be
obliged to pine away in this lonely nest ; but be patient, my
sweet one. Soon your mistress will be queen, and will
seek a handsome young husband for you, with whom I do
not doubt you would rather dwell alone than with the
beautiful Egyptian.”

“ My mistress is lovelier than many like to acknowledge,
and I have commissioned no one to find me a husband,”
she returned, pertly. “ I shall find him without your
help.”

“ Who could doubt it ? Such a pretty face attracts men
as a worm does fish.”

“ I am not angling for men, least of all for such men
as you.”

“ I believe you, I believe you,” said the eunuch, laughing.
“ But tell me, my treasure, why are you so hard on me ?
Have I offended you? Was it not I who obtained for you
this high post ? Am I not your countryman, a Mede ? ”

u And are we not both human beings, and have we not
both ten fingers on our hands, and have we not both noses
in the middle of our faces? Half the people in the
town are Medes, and if they were all my friends be-
cause they are my countrymen, I might be queen to-morrow.
You did not obtain my post for me; I owe it to the
chief priest, Oropastes, who recommended me to Cas-
sandane, not to you. We have nothing to do with you
here.”

“What are you talking of, my darling? Do you not

202

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

know that no servant can be appointed without my con-
sent ? ”

“I know that as well as you, but ”

“But you women are an ungrateful sex, and do not
deserve our kindness.* *

“ Do not forget that vou are speaking to a girl of good
birth.”

“ I know, my lamb, your father was a magus, your
mother the daughter of a magus. Both died young and
left you to the care of Ixabates, the father of the chief
priest, Oropastes, who let you grow up with his children.
When you received earrings, the brother of Oropastes,
Gaumata, 1 — well, you need not blush — Gaumata is a very
pretty name — fell in love with your fair face and, though
he was not nineteen years old, wanted to marry you.
Gaumata and Mandane — how well it sounds ! Gaumata
and Mandane. If I were a poet my hero should be called
Gaumata, and his love, Mandane.”

“ I forbid you to jest like this ! ” cried the girl, blushing
deeply, and stamping her foot.

“ Are you angry because I think your names sound well
together P Be angry with proud Oropastes, who sent his
young brother to Bhagae and you to the court, so that you
might forget each other.* 5

“ You are maligning my benefactor.**

“ May my tongue wither if I am not speaking the truth.
Oropastes parted you and his brother, because he had higher
views for handsome Gaumata than a marriage with the
poor orphan of an insignificant magus . Amytis or Menische
would suit him better as sisters-in-law than a poor girl
like you, who owes all to his charity, and can but frustrate
his ambitious plans. Between ourselves, he would like to
govern the land during the war with the Massagetse, and
would give much if he could in some way become connected
with the Achsemenidse. When a man grows old he does
not think of new wives; but his brother is young and
handsome; he is even said to resemble Prince Bartja.”

“ That is true ! ** cried the maid. “ Just fancy, when we
went to meet my mistress, I saw Bartja for the first time

1 Called Smerdis by the Greeks. The cuneiform inscriptions call
him Sismata, or, according to Spiegel, Gaumata.

BOGES* PLOT.

203

in tlie court of the station-house, I took him for Gaumata.
They are as like as twins, and the two handsomest men in
the kingdom.”

“ How yon blush, my rose. But the likeness is not quite
deceptive. When this morning I greeted the chief priest’s
brother ”

“ Gaumata is here ! ” interrupted the girl, with passionate
haste. ** Have you really seen him, or do you wish to draw
me out and make fun of me ? ”

“ By Mithra, my pigeon, I kissed his brow to-day, and
had to tell him much of his sweetheart. I will do impos-
sible things for him, for I am too weak to resist those
lovely blue eyes, those golden curls and peach cheeks. Do
not blush ; reserve your blushes, my pomegranate blossom,
till I have told you all. In future you will not treat poor
Boges so cruelly, and will learn to see that he has a good
heart full of friendship for his beautiful, pert, little
countrywoman. ”

“ I do not trust you,” interrupted the girl. “ I have
been warned to beware of your smooth tongue, and I do
not know how I have earned your interest.”

“ Do you recognise this ? ” asked Boges, showing the
girl a white ribbon covered with skilfully embroidered
golden dames.

“ The last present I worked for him ! ” cried Mandane.

“ The token for which I asked Gaumata. I knew you
would not trust me. Who ever found that the prisoner
loved his jailor ? ”

“ Quick, quick, tell me what my playfellow wants of me.
See, the sky grows red in the west. Evening is coming,
and I must dress my mistress for the feast.”

“I will be quick,” said Boges. Suddenly he became
80 grave that Mandane was frightened. “ If you will not
believe, that I risk danger for your sake, take for granted
that I help your love to humble the pride of Oropastes,
who threatens to oust me from the king’s favour. In spite
of all plots of the chief priest, you shall — you must — become
the wife of your Gaumata, as truly as I am called Boges.
To-morrow evening, after the Tistar star L has risen, your

1 Probably Sirius.

204

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

lover will visit you. I will manage to remove all tlie
guards so that he may reach you safely. He will stay
with you for one hour only and arrange everything. Your
mistress, I know for certain, will become Cambyses’
favourite wife. Afterwards she will help on your union
with G-aumata, for she loves you, and cannot sufficiently
praise your fidelity. To-morrow, when the Tistar star
rises,” he added, in the trifling voice which was habitual
to him, “ the sun of your happiness will rise. You look
down, and are silent. Gratitude seals your little mouth.
Well, am I right? I must entreat you, my dove, to be
less reticent when the time comes to speak to your powerful
mistress in praise of poor Boges. Shall I greet handsome
Gaumata ? May I tell him that you have not forgotten
him, and will await him with pleasure? You hesitate.
Alas ! it grows dark, and I must go and see whether the
women are properly dressed for the great birthday feast.
Gaumata must leave Babylon the day after to-morrow.
Oropastes fears that he would like to see you again, and
has ordered him to return to Rhagae when the celebration
is over. You are still silent. Well, then, I cannot help
you and the poor boy. I shall attain my goal without you
and perhaps it is better you should forget your love.
Farewell.”

The girl underwent a sharp struggle. She guessed that
Boges wished to deceive her. An inner voice bade her
refuse to meet her lover. Her goodness and prudence
gained the upper hand in her heart. She was about to
cry : “ Tell him I will not receive him,” when her eyes fell on
the silk ribbon she had once embroidered for the handsome
lad. Bright scenes of her childhood, brief moments of love’s
wild joy, passed through her mind, quick as lightning.
Love, frivolity, longing, triumphed over virtue, foreboding,
prudence, and, before Boges could utter his farewell, she
cried almost involuntarily : “ I will await him ! ” and rushed
to the house like a startled doer.

Boges went rapidly through the flower walks of the
hanging gardens. He stopped at the ramparts of the
building, and cautiously opened a hidden trap-door, which
the architect had probably constructed in order to pass un-
noticed from the shores of the stream, to his wife’s dwelling

BOOBS* PLOT.

205

through one of the great piers which supported the gam^s.
The door moved easily on its hinges, and when
closed it and scattered over it a few of the river shells
which covered the garden walks, it could with difficulty be
discovered, even by those who sought for it. The eunuch,
according to his usual custom, rubbed his ringed hands,
smiled cheerfully, and murmured : “ Now we must succeed.
The girl easily fell into the trap. Her lover will obey my
sign. The old stairs are accessible. Nitetis wept bitterly
on this joyous day. The blue lily will blossom to-morrow
night. Yes, yes ; my little plot will succeed. Beautiful
Egyptian cat, to-morrow your velvet paws will be caught
in the trap which the poor despised eunuch, who may not
command you, has set for you.”

At these words a look of malice gleamed in the eyes of
Boges as he hastened on. On the great stairs he met
the eunuch Neriglissar, who lived in the gardens as chief
gardener.

“ How goes it with the blue lily P ” he asked.

“ It is developing splendidly ! ” cried the gardener, filled
with enthusiasm at the thought of his cherished flower.
“ To-morrow, when the Tistar star rises, it will appear as
a most beautiful blossom, as I told you. My Egyptian
mistress will rejoice greatly, for she loves flowers, and I
beg of you to tell the king and the Achsemenidse that my
efforts have been successful in making this rare flower
blossom. It only appears in its full beauty during a single
night once in ten years. Tell this to the noble Achse-
menidse, and bring them hither.”

“Your wish shall be fulfilled,” said Boges, smiling.
“You can scarcely hope for the king’s presence, for I
imagine that he will not enter the hanging gardens again
before his marriage with the Egyptian. Some of the
Achsemenidse are certain to come. They are so interested
in flowers that they will not allow this rare sight to escape
them. Perhaps I may be able to bring Croesus ; it is true
he knows less about flowers than these Persians, who are
mad about them ; but then he is all the more grateful for
every sight that pleases his eye.”

“Bring him, too,” cried the gardener. “He will be
grateful to you, for my queen of the night is lovelier than

206

AN EGYPTIAN PRTNCESS.

all the flowers yet cultivated in a royal garden. You,
yourself, have seen the buds in the clear reservoir, sur-
rounded by green leaves ; when it opens my blossom will
be like a gigantic sky-blue rose.”

The enthusiastic artist was about to continue his praises,
but Boges left him, saluting him graciously, went down
the steps, placed himself in the two-wheeled wooden
chariot which awaited him, and was conducted by the
driver, who sat beside him guiding the horses co veiled with
little bells and tassels, at a rapid pace to the gate of the
gardens which surrounded the king’s great harem.

Busy excitement reigned in Oambyses’ harem. Boges
had ordered that all the women of the court should be
taken to the bath before the great banquet, so that they
might look as fresh and beautiful as possible. The com-
mander of the women, therefore, went at once to the wing
of the palace which contained the women’s bath.

Already from afar he heard the wild noise of screaming,
laughing, chattering, and giggling. In the wide bath-
room, which was almost overheated, were more than three
hundred women, enveloped by a dense cloud of steam.
The half -naked figures in thin silk garments, saturated
by moisture, and clinging to the delicate forms, moved
like phantoms in gay confusion over the hot marble tiles of
the hall, from the roof of which lukewarm drops fell on the
stone floor.

Some of the women lay in groups, ten or twenty of them
clustered together engaged in merry conversation. Two
women were quarrelling like naughty children. One
beauty, who was hit by the dainty slipper of her neigh-
bour, shrieked aloud; another lay in idle contempla-
tion, motionless, like a corpse, on the damp floor. Six
Armenians stood side by side and sang with clear voices a
wanton love song in their native tongue. A number of
fair-haired Persians were slandering poor Nitetis, so that
a listener would have thought that the beautiful Egyptian
resembled those monsters with which people terrify
children. Naked slaves moved among the crowd, bear-
ing well- warmed wraps on their heads to throw round
their mistresses. The cries of the eunuchs who guarded
the doors warned the bathers to hasten, screaming voices

books’ plot.

207

called for the slaves, penetrating scents mingled with the
hot vapour, and the gay, confused scene almost over-
powered the spectator.

A quarter of an hour later the king’s women presented
a very different spectacle from the one described.

They lay quiet like dew-sprinkled roses, not sleeping, but
dreaming, on soft cushions, which were spread along the
walls of a huge hall. The scented moisture still clung to
their loose, damp hair, while active slaves used soft little
bags of camel-hair to wipe away the moisture which had
penetrated the pores of the delicate skins.

Silk coverings were spread over the beautiful, tired
limbs, and a number of eunuchs took care that no quarrel-
some individual should disturb the peace of the dreaming
women.

In spite of the guardians, the room devoted to slumbers
after the bath, was seldom as quiet as it was now ; for who-
ever disturbed the peace was in danger of being excluded
from the great banquet as a punishment.

They had been dreaming for perhaps an hour, when the
sound of a gong changed the whole aspect of the scene.

The women sprang from their cushions. A number
of slaves entered the hall, ointments and scents were
poured on the beautiful women, the luxuriant hair was
skilfully plaited and decked with jewels. Costly orna-
ments, silk and woollen garments in all the colours of the
rainbow, were produced ; shoes stiff with pearls and jewels
were tied on small feet, and rich golden girdles were fastened
round their waists. The robing of most of the women,
whose dress altogether represented the wealth of a great
kingdom, was completed when Boges entered the room.

The new comer was greeted by shouts of joy. Twenty
women took hands and danced round their smiling guar-
dian, singing a simple song in praise of his virtues, which
had been composed in the harem. The king was accus-
tomed to grant some moderate wish to each of his wives
on his birthday. When the dancers opened their circle
a number of petitioners therefore rushed at Boges to
stroke his cheeks, kiss his fleshy hands, and whisper to
him all kinds of demands, and to win his intercession by
flattery.

208

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

Tlie smiling despot of the harem put his hands to his
ears, pushed back the importunate women, promised
Amytis the Mede that he would punish the Phoenician
Esther, and the Phoenician Esther that he would punish
Amytis the Mede, promised Parmys a lovelier ornament
than Parisatys, and Parisatys a lovelier one than Parmys ;
and when he found it impossible to free himself from the
crowd of petitioners, he put a gold whistle to his lips. The
shrill note acted like magic on the women. The raised
hands suddenly sank, the tripping feet stood still, the
opened lips closed, the tumult gave way to perfect silence.

Whoever did not obey the sound of this whistle, which
signified the same thing as the reading of a riot act, or a
“ Silence in the king’s name,” was certain to receive severe
punishment. To-day the clear sound was unusually
effective. Boges noticed this with a pleased smile, gave
the whole assembly a gracious look, which betokened satis-
faction, and promised in flowery language to recommend the
wishes of all his dear white doves to the king. Finally,
he commanded his charges to place themselves in two long
lines.

The women obeyed, and allowed themselves to be sur-
veyed like soldiers by their commander, or slaves by their
purchaser.

Boges was satisfied with the dress of the majority. He
gave orders that a few should be more rouged, or that the
too healthy colour should be toned down with white
powder. Others had to have their hair arranged higher,
their eyebrows painted a deeper black, or their lips
made redder. When he had finished his inspection, he
left the hall and went to Phsedime, who, as wife of Cam-
byses, occupied, like all his lawful wives, separate apart-
ments from those of the concubines.

The fallen favourite, the humbled daughter of the
Achaemenidse, had long awaited the eunuch. She was
most gorgeously dressed, almost overladen with valuable
jewels. From the small tiara, worn by the women, fell a
close veil of gauze, interwoven with gold, and round it was
the blue and white fillet that showed she was a daughter
of the Achsemenidae. Her beauty could not be denied,
although the great development of her form — the usual

BOGES* PLOT.

209

fate of Eastern women after a few years of idle harem life
— was already visible. Her fair hair, which was almost
too thick, flowed from her tiara, mingled with small silver
chains and gold coins, and lay on her white temples.

When Boges entered, she sprang towards him eagerly,
threw one look at the glass, another at the eunuch, and
asked in passionate excitement: “Do I please you? shall I
please him ? ”

Boges smiled as usual, and returned : “I am always
pleased with you, my golden peacock ; and the king would
also be pleased if he could see you as I saw you. When
you cried just now : * Shall I please him ?’ you were truly
beautiful, for passion made your blue eye so dark, that it
looked like the night of Angramainjus, and hate opened
your lips, and showed me teeth whiter than the snow of
Demavend.”

Phoedime, who was evidently flattered, forced herself to
assume the same expression, and cried : “ Let us soon go
to the banquet, for I tell you, Boges, my eyes will gleam
with a darker light, my teeth glitter more sharply than
before, when I see the Egyptian in the place which is mine
by right.”

“ She shall not keep it long.”

“ Then your plot is succeeding ? Speak, Boges; no longer
hide from me what you intend to do. I will be silent as
the dead, and help you.”

“ I cannot and may not tell you; but, to sweeten this bitter
evening, I will reveal to you that all is carefully prepared,
that the pit is dug into which we wish to throw our foe. I
think I shall soon restore my golden Phsedime to her old
place, perhaps to a higher one, if she obeys me blindly.”

“ Say what I must do, I am ready for everything.”

Well said, my brave lioness. Obey my orders, and all
will succeed. I may require difficult things of you, but your
reward will be all the greater. Do not contradict me, we
have no time to lose, ftemove all u n necessary ornaments
at once, and keep only the chain which the king gave you
on your wedding-day. You must wear a simple dark dress
instead of these light robes. When you have knelt before
Cassandane, the king’s mother, you must bow humbly to
the Egyptian.”

p

210

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

“ Impossible ! ”

“ No objections ! Quick, quick, take off tbe jewels.
That's right. We are only sure of success if you obey.
The neck of the fairest Peri is dark compared with
yours."

“But— "

“ When it is your turn to ask a favour of the king, say
your heart ceased to wish when your' sun turned its light
from you."

“ Very well."

“ When your father asks how you are, you must weep."

“ I will weep."

“ Cry so that the Achsemenidse see you.”

“ What humiliation ! "

“No humiliation, you will rise all the higher. Quick,
rub the red from your cheeks, and paint them white ; —
paler still.”

“ I shall need the paint to hide my blushes. You ask

dreadful things of me, Boges, but I will do what you tell
,y *”

me.

“ Quick, bring the new green dress of your mistress ! "

“ I shall look like a slave."

“ True grace is beautiful, even in rags."

“ How the Egyptian will outshine me !”

“ All will see that you are far from washing to vie with
her. All will ask : 'Would not Phaedime be as beautiful
if she had dressed herself like that proud woman ? ’ 99

“ But I cannot bow before her."

“ You must.”

“ You want to ruin and humiliate me,"

“ Short-sighted fool ! Hear my reasons quickly, and
obey. We must try to set the Achsemenidae against our
foe. How angry your grandfather, Intaphernes, your
father, Otanes, will be when they see you in the dust
before a stranger. Their offended pride will make them
our allies ; and though they are too noble, as they call it,
to undertake anything against a woman, they will be more
ready to help than to hinder me if I need them. When
the Egyptian is destroyed, the king, if you obey me, will
remember your pale cheeks, your humility, your unselfish-
ness. The Acheemenidae, even the magi, will beg him t

BOGES* PLOT.

211

make a noble woman of Iris race bis queen. Wbat woman
in Persia boasts of higher birth than you ? Who else will
receive the purple but you, my gay bird of Paradise, my
lovely rose, Phsedime ? As you must not fear a fall from
a horse, if you wish to learn to ride, so you must not
shrink from humbling yourself when the greatest prize of
all is at stake.”

“ I will obey,” cried the princess.

“Then we shall conquer,” returned the eunuch. '“Now
your eyes glow again with the right darkness. I love you
so, my queen. Cambyses shall see you thus when the dogs
and birds feast on the Egyptian’s tender body, and I, for the
first time for months, open your chamber door to him in
the silent night. Hallo, Armorges, bid the women be
ready to enter their litters. I will go first, and show them
their places.”

The great banqueting-hall was lighter than day: thou-
sands of lights were burning there, and the flameswere re-
flected in the plates of gold which decked the walls. An
immensely long table stood in the middle of the hall ; it
almost broke down beneath the weight of the gold and
silver goblets, plates, dishes, jugs, cans, fruit dishes, and
incense altars, which gave it an appearance of rare
splendour.

“ The king will appear soon,” cried the chief butler, a
high dignitary of the court, to the king’s cupbearer, a noble
relative of the monarch. “ Are all the jugs filled, the wines
tested, the cups ready, and the wine skins sent by Polycrates
emptied ? ”

“ All is ready,” returned the cupbearer. “ That wine of
Chios surpasses in excellence all the wines that I have
ever drunk, even Nebuchadnezzar’s favourite drink, the
grape juice of Chelbon. Taste.”

With these words he seized a delicate golden cup with one
hand, a jug of the same metal with the other, raised the
jug, and poured the wine in a wide curve so skilfully into
the cup, that not a drop fell to the ground. Then he
seized the goblet with the tips of his fingers, and bending
gracefully, offered it to the butler.

He drank the precious draught thoughtfully, and

212

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

smacked his lips. He gave back the goblet to the cup-
bearer, exclaiming : 44 Truly a noble draught, specially
pleasant because it is handed to the drinker with a grace
which you alone possess. Strangers are right when they
admire Persian cupbearers, and call them the most skilful
in the world.”

“ I thank you,” returned the other, kissing his friend’s
brow. 4 4 1 am proud of my office, which the great king
bestows only on his friends ; and yet in this suffocating
heat of Babylon, it becomes a burden. When shall we
go to the summer residence, Ecbatana, or Pasargada ? ”

44 1 spoke to the king about it to-day. He did not wish
to move because of the war with the Massagetse, preferring
to march into the field from Babylon. If, as seems probable
after to-day’s news, the war is not undertaken, we shall
go to Susa three days after the king’s wedding, that is, in
a week’s time.”

44 Susa ? ” said the cupbearer. 44 That is very little cooler
than Babylon. Besides, the old Memnonia 1 is being
rebuilt.”

44 The satrap of Susa has informed the king that the new
palace is finished, and surpasses all buildings that have
ever been erected in splendour and magnificence. Cam-
byses had scarcely heard this when he cried: 4 We will go
there three days after my wedding. I will show the
Egyptian princess that we Persians understand architec-
ture as well as her ancestors did. The Hile has accus-
tomed her to heat, and she will be comfortable in out
lovely Susa.’ The king seems wonderfully fond of this
woman ! ”

44 Yes, indeed ! He neglects all the other women for her
sake, and will soon make her his queen.”

44 That is wrong. The daughter of the Achsemenidse,
Phsedime, has older and better rights.”

44 Certainly, but what the king wills is good.”

44 The ruler’s will is the will of the gods.”

44 Well said. A true Persian rejoices when he is allowed
to kiss his master’s hand, though it be dyed with the blood
of his child.”

1 The citadel of Susa was called Memnonia by the ancients.

BOGES* PLOT.

213

“ Cambyses executed my brother, but I no more bear
him a grudge than I do the gods, who robbed me of my
parents. Hallo, servants, draw back the curtains, for the
guards approach. Hurry, you dogs, and attend to your
duties. Farewell, Artabazos ; a hot night awaits us.”

CHAPTEB XYII.

THE POISONED CUP.

T HE chief butler went to meet the approaching guests,
and showed them to their places with the assistance
of a few other noble staff -bearers.

When all were seated, the trumpets announced the
king's approach. As soon as he entered the guests rose
and received their ruler with a thundering, oft-repeated
dy . “ Victory to the king ! ”

A purple Sardian carpet, on which none but he and
Cassandane might walk, showed the way to his place.
The king’s mother, led by Croesus, preceded her son,
and took possession of a throne at the head of the table,
which stood higher than Cambyses’ golden chair. The
lawful wives sat on the ruler’s left, hTitetis at his side,
then came Atossa, by her sat Phsedime, in her simple
dress, her cheeks painted white, and beside the lowest
wife of the king sat Boges. Then came the chief priest,
Oropastes, a few other magi of high rank, the satraps
of several provinces, and below them the Jew Belshazzar,
and a number of Persians, Medes, and eunuchs who occu-
pied high offices in the state.

On the monarch’s right sat Bartja, beyond him, Croesus,
Hystaspes, G-obryas, Araspes, and other Achsemenidse
placed according to rank and age. Some of the concubines
sat at the lower end of the table, others stood opposite the
king to heighten the enjoyment of the feast with songs and
music. Behind them stood several eunuchs, whose duty
it was to see that they did not raise their eyes to the
men.

Cambyses’ first glance was for Nitetis, who sat beside

THE POISONED CUP. 215

him with all the dignity and splendour of a queen, pale,
but unspeakably beautiful in her new purple robes.

The eyes of the betrothed pair met. Cambyses felt that
Nitetis’ eyes were fixed on him with deep love. But he
saw with the keen instinct of his passion, that something,
he knew not what, had happened to her. There was an ex-
pression of sad gravity about her lips, her usually calm,
clear, cheerful eyes were dimmed by a sadness perceptible
to him alone. “ I will ask her afterwards what has hap-
pened to her ; ” thought the king. “ My subjects must not
see how I love this girl.”

He now kissed his mother, his brother and sister, and
his nearest relatives on the brow, uttered a short prayer,
in which he thanked the gods for their favour, and asked
for a new year of happiness for himself and the Persians ;
mentioned an enormous sum which he had given to his
countrymen, and bade the staff -bearers lead those before
him who hoped that on this day of mercy some moderate
wish would be granted.

None of the petitioners went away unsatisfied, for each
had been obliged the day before to tell the chief staff-
bearer his wish, and to find out whether it could be
granted. In the same way the wishes of the women were
examined by the eunuchs before the king heard them.
After the men, Boges led the crowd of women past the
ruler ; Cassandane alone remained seated.

Atossa and Nitetis opened the procession, Phacdime and
another beauty followed the princesses. The other was
most gorgeously dressed, and Boges had chosen her as
companion of the fallen favourite, in order to heighten the
effect of her almost shabby simplicity.

Intaphernes and Otanes, as Boges had anticipated,
looked angrily at their granddaughter and daughter, who
appeared pale and plainly dressed in this scene of splen-
dour. When she stood opposite him, Cambyses, who was
well acquainted with Phsedime’s extravagant love of dress,
looked with mingled anger and astonishment at her simple
dress and pale face. His brow darkened, and he angrily
addressed the woman who sank down at his feet : “ What
does this beggar’s dress mean at the feast held in my
honour ? Do you no longer know the custom of our nation,

216

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

which forbids the subject to appear before his ruler except
in full dress ? Truly, had it been another day, and did I
not respect you as the daughter of my nearest relatives, I
would let the eunuch lead you back to the harem, where
in solitude you could reflect over what is fitting.”

These words made the humbled woman’s task easier.
She wept loud and bitterly as she looked at the angry
king, and raised her eyes and hands so beseechingly that
his anger changed to pity, and raising her from her knees,
he asked : “ Have you a wish ? ”

“ What have I left to wish for, since my sun has with-
drawn its light from me?” she stammered amidst low
sobs.

Cambyses shrugged his shoulders and asked again:
“ Do you wish for nothing ? Formerly, I could dry your
tears with gifts ; ask once more for golden comfort.”

“Phsedime desires nothing more. For whom should
she want jewels since her king, her husband, has turned
from her the light of his eyes? ”

“Then I cannot help you,” cried the king, turning
angrily from the kneeling woman.

ft was well that Boges had advised Phsedime to paint
her face white, for under the pale colour, her cheeks glowed
with anger and shame. In spite of this she controlled her
passion, and obeying the eunuch, bowed low and reverently
before the king’s mother and Nitetis, and let her tears flow
unrestrained in sight of all the Achaemenidse.

Otanes and Intaphemes with difficulty hid their anger
at Phaedime’s humiliation, and many of the Achaemenidse
looked with great sympathy on the unhappy woman and
with silent anger on the beautiful favoured stranger.

All the ceremonies were ended, and the feast began.
Before the king, in a golden basket, daintily surrounded
by other fruit, lay a gigantic pomegranate as large as a
child’s head. He now noticed it for the first time,
examined the beautiful fruit with the eye of a judge, and
asked : “ Who grew this wonderful fruit ? ”

“ Your servant Oropastes,” answered the chief priest,
bowing low. “ For many years I have been engaged in
gardening, and I have ventured to lay this magnificent
fruit at your feet as the finest result of my efforts.”

THE POISONED CUP,

217

“I thank you,” cried the king, “for, my friends, this
pomegranate will make it easy for me to choose a governor
when we go to war. By Mithra ! he who knows how to
tend a little tree with such care will be excellent in great
things. What a fruit ! Whoever saw its like ? I thank
you again, Oropastes, and since the gratitude of kings
must not consist of mere words I now appoint you
governor of the whole kingdom in ease of war. Yes, my
friends, we shall not dream away our days in idle peace
much longer. The Persian loses his gaiety without the
delight of war.”

A murmur of applause thrilled the rows of the
Achaemenidse. “ Victory to the king ! ” was heard agaiu
and again.

The anger aroused by the sight of the humbled woman
was quickly forgotten; thoughts of battle, dreams of
immortal fame and crowns of victory, memories of past
heroic deeds, increased the festive mood of the revellers.
The king, himself more temperate than usual this day,
encouraged his guests to drink, and rejoiced in his heroes’
tumultuous joy and longing for battle, and still more in
the wonderful beauty of the Egyptian who sat beside him,
paler than usual, and quite exhausted by the exertions of
the day and the unaccustomed weight of the tiara. He
had never before felt so happy.

What did he lack, what was there left for him to
desire, since the deity had added happy love to all the
treasures which the heart can long for ? His obstinacy was
softened to mild graciousness, bis stern hardness to kind
yielding, when he cried to Bart j a, who sat by him :

“How, brother, have you forgotten my promise? Do
you not remember that you were to ask of me to-day what
your heart longed for, with the certainty that vour wish
would be fulfilled ? That is right. Empty the cup and
raise your courage. But you must ask no trifle. To-
day I am in the mood to give great presents. Ah ! you
wish to tell me in secret what you desire. Come closer,
I am curious to know what the happiest youth in my
whole kingdom desires so eagerly, that he blushes like a
girl as soon as his wish is mentioned.”

Bartja, whose cheeks glowed with excitement, bent

218

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

towards his brother with a smile, and told him briefly and
in a low whisper the story of his love.

Sappho’s father had helped to defend his native town,
Phocsea, against Cyrus’ army. The youth wisely empha-
sized this circumstance, called his love, with truth, the
daughter of a Greek warrior of noble birth, and concealed
the fact that he had gained wealth by commercial enter-
prise. He described to his brother the grace, culture, and
love of his bride, and was about to appeal to Croesus’
testimony, when Cambyses interrupted him, and kissing
his brow, cried: “Enough words, my brother. Eollow
your heart’s desire. I know the power of love, and will
help you to gain our mother’s consent.”

Bart j a, overcome by happiness and gratitude, threw him-
self at his royal brother’s feet; he raised him kindly and
cried, turning specially to Nitetis and Cassandane : “ Listen,
my friends I The race of Cyrus is to bear new blossoms,
for our brother Bart j a has decided to end his single life
which is displeasing to the gods . 1 In a few days the
youth will go to your home, Nitetis, and bring the second
jewel from the shores of the Nile to our mountainous
home.”

“ What ails you, sister ? ” cried young Atossa before
Cambyses had finished, while she sprinkled with wine the
brow of the Egyptian who lay unconscious in her arms.

“ What ailed you ? ” asked blind Cassandane, when after
a few minutes the king’s betrothed awoke to consciousness.

“ My joy, this happiness, Tachot,” stammered Nitetis.

Cambyses, like his sister, had sprung to the side of the
fainting girl. When she had fully recovered consciousness,
he begged her to strengthen herself with wine, gave her
the cup himself, and completed his narrative. “ Bart j a is
going to your home, my wife, in order to fetch from Nau-
cratis on the Nile, his wife, the granddaughter of a certain
Bhodopis, the daughter of a noble warrior, from gallant
Phocaea.”

“ What was that ? ” cried the king’s mother.

1 The Persian religion commanding that all should marry, cast
contempt on the unwedded. To awaken and maintain life was con-
sidered the highest aim. It was therefore praiseworthy to have many
children.

THE POISONED CUP.

219

“ What ails you P ” asked bright Atossa, in an anxious
almost reproachful tone.

“ Nitetis ! ” cried Croesus warningly to his charge.

But the warning came too late, for the cup which Cam-
byses had handed to his love fell from her hands, clattering
to the ground.

The eyes of all present were fixed in anxious expectation
on the face of the king, who had sprung from his seat pale
as death, with trembling lips, and convulsively clasped
hands. Nitetis looked up at her lover begging for indul-
gence, but he feared the magic of her glance, turned his
head and cried hoarsely : “ Lead the women to their apart-
ments, Boges, I do not wish to see them any more. The
drinking bout can begin. Sleep well, my mother, and be-
ware of feeding serpents with your heart’s blood. Sleep
well, Egyptian, and pray that the gods may give you a
greater power of deception. Eriends, to-morrow we shall
hunt. Grive me drink. Fill the great goblet, but. taste
very, very carefully. To-day I fear poison for the first
time. Do you hear, Egyptian? I fear poison, and all
poison and medicine, ha ! ha ! as every child knows, all
poisons come from Egypt.”

Nitetis staggered, rather than walked, from the hall.
Boges accompanied her and bade her bearers hurry.

When they reached the hanging gardens he confided
the Egyptian to the charge of the eunuch who guarded
her house and left her, rubbing his hands, chuckling
softly, and saying, not respectfully as usual, but in a confi-
dential, friendly tone : “ Dream of handsome Bartja and
his Egyptian love, my white cat of the Nile. Have you
any message for the handsome boy, whose love story
alarmed you so ? Think well. Poor Boges will gladly act
as mediator, despised Boges wishes you well, humble Iiogos
would grieve to see the lofty palm of Sais fall, the prophet
Boges foretells a speedy return to Egypt or a calm repose
in the black earth of Babylon, good Boges wishes you a
quiet sleep. Farewell, my crushed flower, my gay serpent,
who has wounded herself, my cone fallen from the pine
tree.” r

“ Insolent maul” cried the princess indignantly.

“Thank you,” answered the monster, smiling.

220

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

“ I shall complain of your behaviour,” threatened
Hitetis.

“ How amiable yon are,” returned Boges.

“ Begone ! ” cried the Egyptian.

“ I obey yonr commands,” whispered the eunuch, as if
he were murmuring a love secret in her ear.

Disgusted and horrified at his mockery, the dreadful
significance of which she understood, she shrank back, and
turning her back on Boges hastened towards the house.
He called after her : “ Bemember me, beautiful queen, re-
member me. All that happens to you during the next few
days will be a loving gift of poor, despised Boges.”

As soon as the Egyptian had vanished he bade the
guards in stern tones watch the gardens carefully. “ Who-
ever allows anyone, except me, to enter this place is a dead
man. Ho one, do you hear, least of all messengers from
the king’s mother, Atossa, or the nobles may put a foot
on these stairs. If Croesus, or Oropastes, wish to see the
Egyptian, refuse peremptorily. You understand ? Mind,
if you are led astray by gifts or entreaties, you have all
lived long enough. Ho one, no one may enter these gardens
without my special permission. I think you know me.
Take these gold pieces as a reward for your task, which is
rendered more difficult than usual to-day, and hear me swear
by Mithra, that I will not spare the guilty or negligent.”

The warders bowed, and were resolved to obey their
chief, for they knew he was not accustomed to jest when he
threatened, and they guessed that great events might be
anticipated, for Boges never gave away his money without
cause.

The same litter which had borne the Egyptian, carried
the eunuch back to the banqueting hall.

The king’s wives had left, only the concubines stood in
the places assigned to them and sang their monotonous
songs, unheard amidst the noise of the men. The revellers
had long forgotten the fainting woman. Each new cup
increased the tumult and the confused cries of the drunken.
The solemnity of the place and the presence of the mighty
king seemed forgotten. Here a tipsy man shrieked aloud
in drunken glee; there two warriors, their affection
awakened by wine, embraced each other ; there an intoxi-

THE POISONED CUP.

221

cated novice was carried from tlie hall by strong ser-
vants ; and yonder, an old toper seized the jug and
emptied it at a draught, amidst the joyous cries of his
companions. At the head of the table sat the king,
pale as death, listlessly staring into his cup. Whenever
he looked at Bart j a, he clenched his fist. He avoided
speaking to him, and left his questions unanswered. The
longer he sat staring before him, the firmer became his
conviction that the Egyptian had deceived him, and pre-
tended to love him, while her heart belonged to Bart j a.
How shamefully he had been deceived, how deeply false-
hood must be rooted in the heart of this skilled hypocrite,
if the mere news that his brother loved another sufficed
not only to destroy her accustomed arts, but also to rob
her of consciousness.

Otanes, Phaedime’s father, had cried when Hitetis left
the hall : “ The Egyptians seem very much affected by the
loves of their brothers-in-law ; Persian women are less
lavish of their feelings, and keep them for their husband.”

The proud m&n pretended not to hear these words, and
closed his ears and eyes in order not to notice the mur-
murs and the glances of his guests, which confirmed the
opinion that he had been deceived.

Bartja was not to blame for her faithlessness, she only
loved the handsome youth ; loved him the more, perhaps,
the less confidant she felt of her love being returned. If he
had entertained the faintest suspicion of his brother, he
would have had him killed on the spot. Bartja was inno-
cent of the deceit and the misfortune, but he was its cause,
and the old anger which was just subdued in his heart
awoke again, and as every relapse is more dangerous than
the first attack, it increased in violence.

He thought and thought, and did not know how to
punish the false woman. Her death would not satisfy
him, she should bear greater ills than that. Should he
send her back to Egypt in shame and disgrace ? Ho ; she
loved her home, and would be received by her parents with
open arms. Should he, after she had confessed her guilt
(for he was determined to force a confession from her), shut
up the faithless woman in a lonely prison, or should he
give her as a servant to his concubines, or to Boges ?

222

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

Yes, tliat was the best plan. Thus would he punish the
faithless woman, thus would he chastise the hypocrite who
had allowed herself to play a guilty game with him, and
without whom he could not bear to live. Then he said,
“ Bart j a must go from here, for fire and water will mix
before this child of fortune and I, miserable man, agree.
His descendants will one day divide my treasures and
wear this crown, but I am still king, and will prove it.”

The thought of his proud omnipotence flashed through
his mind, and roused him from his dreams to new
life. He threw his golden goblet in wild passion in the
midst of the hall, so that the wine fell on those nearest
him like a shower of rain, and cried : “ Oease youi* idle
chatter and useless noise. Drunk as we are, let us hold a
council of war, and consider what answer we owe the Mas-
sagetae. I ask you for your answer first, Hystaspes, as the
eldest here.”

Darius’ aged father answered : “ It seems to me that the
ambassadors of the nomads have left us no choice. We
cannot go forth against uninhabited steppes, but as our
armies are ready, and our swords have reposed too long
already, we need war. For this purpose we require nothing
but strong enemies, and to make enemies is the easiest
thing I know.”

At these words the Persians uttered shouts of joy, but
when the sound ceased, Croesus began to speak : “ You are
as old as I am, Hystaspes, but, like a true Persian, you
think you can only be bappy in war and battle. The staff,
once a sign of your office as general, is now your support,
and yet you speak like a hot-tempered youth. I grant yon
foes are easily found, hut only fools seek them by violence.
He who rashly makes himself enemies is like a criminal who
mutilates himself. If we have foes, it is right that we
oppose them, as it is right for a wise man to face his mis-
fortunes boldly. My friend, let us commit no crime, and
begin no unjust war hateful to the gods, hut wait till we
are wronged, and then conquer or die, conscious that we
march to battle in a just cause.”

A low murmur of applause interrupted the speaker, but
it was drowned by the cry : “ Hystaspes is right. Let us
seek a foe.”

THE POISONED CUP.

223

The ambassador, Prexaspes, whose turn came next, cried,
laughing: “Let us follow both these noble old men — Croesus,
by waiting for a foe ; Hystaspes, by increasing our sensi-
tiveness, and taking for granted that all who do not cheer-
fully consider themselves members of the great realm of
our father Cyrus, are among the enemies of Persia. Let
us, for example, ask the Indians if they are too proud to
obey your sceptre, Cambyses. If they are, they do not love
us, and he who does not love us is naturally our foe. 9 *

“Not so,” cried Zopyrus. “We must have war at any
price.”

“I vote for Croesus,” cried G-obryas.

“ I too,” cried noble Artabazus.

“We are for Hystaspes,” cried Araspes, old Intaphernes,
and other old companions in arms of Cyrus.

“ No war against the Massagetse, who flee from us, but
war at any price,” shouted the general Megabyzus, father
of Zopyrus, striking the table with his heavy fist so that
the golden vessels jingled against each other, and several
cups were upset.

“ No war with the Massagetse, on whom the gods them-
selves have avenged Cyrus,” said the chief priest.

“ War ! war ! ” shrieked the drunken Persians in wild
confusion.

Calm and cold, Cambyses for a time let his warriors
shout in wild enthusiasm ; then he rose from his seat
and cried in tones of thunder : “ Silence ! hear your
king.”

The words acted like a charm on the tumultuous host.
Even the most intoxicated submitted in unconscious obe-
dience to the ruler’s command, who lowered his voice and
continued : “I did not ask if you desired peace or war, for
I know every Persian prefers the toil of war to inglorious
idleness ; I wished to know what answer you would advise
me to give the Massagetse. Do you consider that the soul
of my father, the man to whom you are indebted, is suffi-
ciently avenged ? ”

A low murmur in the affirmative, interrupted by a few
negatives, answered the king, whose second question:
“ Shall we accept the conditions of the embassy sent to me,
and grant peace to this people, reduced in number and

224

AN EGYPTIAN PEINCESS.

afflicted by tbe gods ? ” was answered by all present in
eager affirmative.

“ That is what I wished to know,” continued Cambyses.

** To-morrow, according to ancient custom, we will, when
sober, consider what we resolved when intoxicated. Drink
away the last hours of the night. I shall leave you and
await you with the last cry of the holy bird Parodar, 1 at
the gate of Bel for the chase.”

With these words the king left the hall. A loud
“ Victory to the king ! ” followed him.

Boges, the eunuch, had crept from the hall a few
minutes before his master. In the court he found one of
the under gardeners from the hanging gardens.

“ What do you want here ? ” he asked him.

“ I have something for Prince Bart j a.

“ Bart j a ! Did he ask your master for seeds or

cuttings ? ”

The boy shook his sunburnt head and smiled.

“ Then another sent you? ” asked Boges becoming more
attentive.

“ Yes, another.”

“ 0, the Egyptian sends her brother-in-law a message
through you ? ”

“ Who told you ? ”

“ Nitetis told me about it. Give me what you have.
I will give it to Bart j a at once.”

“ I must give it to no one but the prince.”

“ Give it me. I can discharge the commission better
than you.”

“ I may not.”

“ Obey me or — 99

At this moment the king approached the disputants.
Boges considered for a second, then with loud voice he
summoned the guard and bade them arrest the astonished
boy.

“ What is the matter? ” asked Cambyses.

“ This insolent fellow,” answered the eunuch, “ has forced
his way into the palace to bring Bart j a a message from
your wife Kitetis.”

1 The Persians held the cock sacred, for he drove the dark divs of
night back to their caves.

THE POISONED CUP.

22 h

When the boy became aware of the king’s presence, he
fell on his knees and touched the ground with his forehead.

Cambyses, pale as death, looked at the unhappy boy.
Then he turned to the eunuch and asked : “ What does the
Egyptian want of my brother ? ”

“ The boy declares he received orders to give what he
brought to Bart j a alone.”

At these words the messenger looked piteously at the
king, and held a papyrus scroll towards him. Cambyses
snatched it from him and stamped with rage when he saw
the Greek characters, which he was unable to read.

When he had collected himself he asked the boy, look-
ing at him with a terrible glance : “ Who gave you this ? ”

“ Mandane, the maid of my mistress, daughter of the
magus.”

“ For my brother Bartja ? ”

“ She said I was to give this letter to the handsome
prince before the feast, to greet him from my mistress,
Nitetis, and to tell him — ”

The king stamped with rage and impatience.

The boy was almost too terrified to speak, and continued
with difficulty : “ The prince walked by you before the
feast, so that I could not speak to him. Now X am waiting
for him, for Mandane promised me a piece of gold if I
fulfilled her commission properly.”

“You have not done so!” thundered the king, who
thought that he had been shamefully deceived. “ You have
not done so. Guards, arrest the fellow ! ”

The boy raised his voice and looked entreatingly at the
king, but in vain, for, quick as thought, the whip-bearers
seized him, and the king, who hastened towards his room
with rapid steps, no longer heard him.

Boges followed the king, laughing softly and rubbing his
hands.

The attendants were about to disrobe their master, but
he repulsed them angrily, and ordered them to leave him at
once. When they had left the room, he called Boges and
murmured : “ From this hour I will put you in charge of the
hanging gardens and the Egyptian. Guard her well. If
any person or message reaches her without my knowledge,
your life is forfeited,”

<3

226

AN EGYPTIAN PEINCESS.

f< But if Oassandane or Atossa send to her — ”

“ Dismiss the messengers and send them word that I
shall look on every attempt they make to communicate
with Nitetis as an insult to myself.”

“ May I ask a favour, 0 king ? ”

“ You have chosen your time badly.”

“I feel so ill. Appoint someone else as guardian of
the gardens to-morrow.”

“ No, leave me l ”

“ Yiolent fever rages in my veins. I fainted three times
to-day. If during such an attack anyone — ”

“ Who could take your place ? ”

“ The Lydian chief eunuch, Candaules. He is true as
gold, and uncompromisingly firm. A day of rest will
restore my health. Be gracious.”

“ No one is as badly served as the king. Candaules
may take your place to-morrow. G-ive him strict orders
and tell him that any negligence will cost him his life.
Leave me!”

“Another thing, my king. You know the rare blue
lily will blossom to-morrow night in the hanging gardens.
Hystaspes, Intaphemes, Gobryas, Croesus, and Oropastes,
the greatest florists at your court, would like to see it.
May they enter the gardens for a few minutes P Candaules
will take care that they do not speak to the Egyptian.”

“ Let Candaules keep his eyes open if he values his
life. Go!”

Boges bowed low and left the king’s apartment. He
gave a few pieces of gold to the slaves who lighted him
with torches. He was in a good humour. All his plans
were succeeding beyond his expectation, for Nitetis’ fate
seemed virtually decided, and he held the life of Candaules,
his equal in rank, whom he detested, in his hands.

Cambyses walked up and* down his room till morning.
When the cocks crowed, he had determined to force
Nitetis to confess, and then to send her to the great harem
as a slave to his concubines.' Bart j a, the destroyer of his
happiness, should leave at once for Egypt, and afterwards
rule as satrap over a distant province. He shrank from
the crime of fratricide, but he knew himself well enough
to foresee that he would kill the hated man in a moment of

THE POISONED OTP.

227

passion, if lie were not removed bevynd the reach of his
anger.

Two hours after the sun had risen, Cambyses, on his
snorting steed, flew far in advance of his huge retinue, the
members of which were armed with shields, swords, lances,
bows and lassos, to hunt the game, which was roused by
more than a thousand dogs in the great preserves of
Babylon.

CHAPTEB XVIII.

THE ARREST OE BARTJA.

T HE Bunt was over. Carts, full of dead game, in-
cluding several enormous boars which. Cambyses had
slain with his own hand, followed the returning hunters,
who separated at the palace gates to go to their dwellings
and exchange the ancient Persian hunting-dress of simple
leather for the splendid Median court dress.

During the chase the king, with scarcely suppressed
agitation, gave his brother the apparently kind order to set
forth next day to fetch Sappho, and bring her to Persia.
He, at the same time, gave him the revenues of the towns
Bactros, Bhagse, and Sinope for the maintenance of his new
household, and bestowed the revenues of her father’s town,
Phocsea, on the young bride.

Bart j a thanked his brother heartily for his generosity.
But Cambyses remained icily cold, uttered a few fare-
well words, and turned his back on him to follow a wild
ass.

When they returned from the chase the young hero
invited his friends, Croesus, Darius, Zopyrus, and Gyges
to a farewell revel.

Croesus was to join them later on, for he had promised
to be present with the nobles when the Tistar star rose,
to witness the blossoming of the blue lily.

Early in the morning he had tried to see Hitetis, but
the guards resolutely refused him admittance. How the
blue lily seemed to afford him the opportunity of an
interview with his favourite, for whose behaviour on the
previous day he could scarcely account, and he was filled
with great anxiety at the strict restraint to which she was
subjected.

THE ARREST OF BARTJA.

229

The joung Achsemenidse sat, in the twilight, in a shady
bower in the royal garden, beside which clear fountains
plashed, engaged in cheerful conversation. Araspes, a noble
Persian, and friend of the late Cyrus, had joined them,
and was enjoying the prince’s excellent wine.

“ Happy Bartja ! ” cried the old bachelor. “ You are
going to a golden land to fetch the woman you love, while
I, poor bachelor, go to my grave, despised by all the
world, and leaving neither wives nor children to mourn for
me and ask the gods for a gentle judgment on my soul.”

“ How can you entertain such thoughts P ” cried Zopyrus,
raising his goblet. “ Believe me, every man who takes a
wife is forced by her at least once a day to rue the fact
that he did not remain unwed. Be cheerful, father, and
remember that you are lamenting your own folly or
wisdom. One chooses women, like nuts, by the look of
the shell. Who knows whether it contains a good or a bad
kernel, or any kernel at all ? I speak from experience, for
though I am only twenty-two, I have five lovely wives, and
a host of slaves, both beautiful and ugly, in my house.”

Araspes smiled bitterly.

“ What prevents you from marrying still? ” said G-yges,
“-You are only sixty, and you could rival many younger men
in bearing, strength, and endurance. You are one of the
king’s noblest relations, and you could have twenty beauti-
ful young wives.”

“ Sweep before your own door,” answered the bachelor.
“ If I were like you, truly, I would not have remained un-
married till I was thirty.”

“ An oracle forbade me to marry.”

” Folly ! How can a sensible man care about oracles ?
In dreams alone the gods foretell the future. I should
have thought the fate of your own father must have
taught you that the Greek priests deceive their best
friends shamefully.”

€t You do not understand that, Araspes.”

“ And do not wish to understand it, boy, for you believe
in oracles because you do not understand them, and in
your narrow-mindedness you call those things miraculous
that you do not understand. You place more implicit
trust in what you do not comprehend, than in the most

230

AW EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

self-evident truth. The oraele deceived your father and
ruined him, hut the oracle is a miracle, and therefore, full
of confidence, you allow it to deprive you of happiness.”

“ You blaspheme, Araspes. Is it the gods’ fault if we
misunderstand their words ? ”

“ Certainly ; for if they wished to aid us they would
give us the intelligence needed to understand them when
they speak to us. What is the use of fine words if they
are spoken in a language I do not know ? ”

“ Cease your useless arguments,” cried Darius. „ “Araspes,
you had better tell us why for so long a time you have
allowed the priests to reproach you^ why you allow
yourself to be slighted at the feasts, and scorned by the
women, and though you congratulate every bridegroom,
remain a bachelor yourself.”

Araspes looked down thoughtfully. Then he shook his
head, took a deep draught, and said : “ Friends, I have my
reasons, but I cannot tell them to you now.”

“ Tell them, tell them ! ”

“ I cannot, boys, I cannot l Happy Bartja ! I empty
this bumper to the health of your fair Sappho, and this
one I dedicate to your future happiness, my favourite,
Darius.”

“ I thank you,” cried Bartja, joyously raising his cup to
his lips.

“You mean well,” murmured Darius, looking down
gloomily.

“ Why, son of Hystaspes,” cried the old 'man, looking
at the grave youth, “ such stem looks ill befit the bride-
groom who drinks to his beloved. Is not the little daughter
of Gobryas the noblest of the young Persian maidens after
Atossa ? Is she not beautiful ? ”

“ Artystone possesses all the advantages of the Achee-
menidse,” said Darius, still frowning.

“ What more do you desire, you discontented boy ? ”

Darius raised his goblet, and looked into it.

“ The boy is in love as truly as my name is Araspes,”
cried the old man.

“ What foolish men you are,” interrupted Zopyrus.
“One, contrary to Persian custom, remains a bachelor,
the other does not marry because an oracle frightens him.

THE AEEEST OP BARTJA.

23]

Bartja means to content himself with one wife, and Darius
looks like a destur singing funeral hymns, because his
father orders him to be happy with the loveliest and
noblest girl in Persia.’ 1 ’

“ Zopyrus is right,” cried the old man. “ Darius is un-
grateful to fortune.”

Bartja kept his eyes fixed on his friend during these
reproaches. He saw that his companions’ jests displeased
him, and full of his own happiness, he pressed his hand
and said : ‘‘I am sorry that I shall not be here for your
wedding. When I return I hope to find you reconciled
to your father’s choice.”

“ Perhaps,” answered Darius, “ when you return I shall
be able to show you a second and a third wife.”

“ Anahita grant it,” cried Zopyrus. “ The AchceTnenidoe
would soon die out, if all acted like Araspes and Gyges.
“Your one wife, Bartja, is not worth mentioning. It
is your duty, if only to preserve the race of Cyrus, to lead
home three wives at once.”

“ I hate the custom of taking many wives,” cried Bartja.
“By doing so we place ourselves below the women, of
whom we expect that they should remain faithful to us
during a lifetime, while we, who ought to esteem fidelity
more than anything, pledge vows of unchangeable love to
one woman to-day, to another to-morrow.”

“ Nonsense,” cried Zopyrus. “ I would rather lose my
tongue than tell lies to a man, but our women are such
deceitful creatures we must pay them with their own
coin.”

“ The Greek women are different, because they are dif-
ferently treated,” returned Bartja, “ Sappho told me of
a Greek woman, I think she was called Penelope, who
waited in patient love for twenty years for her lord, who
was supposed to be dead, though fifty suitors frequented
her house daily.”

“ My wives would scarcely wait for me so long,” cried
Zopyrus, laughing gaily. “ I must confess that I should
not grieve, if, after twenty years’ absence, I found an
empty house on my return ; instead of the faithless ones,
who would meanwhile have become old, I could take
beautiful young girls into my harem. But not everyone

232

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

finds a seducer, and our women prefer an absent lord to
no lord at all.”

“ What if your wives heard you ? ” laughed Araspes.

“ They would declare war on me, or, worse still, they
would make peace with each other.”

“ How so ? ”

“ How so ? It’s easy to see you have no experience.”

“ Initiate us into the secrets of your married life.”

“ Gladly. You can imagine that five wives in one house
do not live as peaceably together as five pigeons in one
pigeon-house. Mine, at least, carry on an incessant and
mortal war. I am used to it, and enjoy their liveliness.
A year ago they became united for the first time, and I must
call that day of peace the most miserable in my life.”

“ You jest ! ”

“ Ho, I speak in solemn earnest. The wretched eunuch
who has to guard the five let in an old jeweller from
Tyre. Each chose a costly ornament. When I reached
home, Sudabe approached, and begged for money for her
jewels. I refused to pay the price, as it was exorbitant.
Each of the five asked me separately for money. I
refused flatly, and went to court. When I returned home
all my wives sat weeping together. One embraced the
other, and called her her companion in misfortune. The
foes rose in touching unanimity, and overwhelmed me
with abuse and threats till I left the room. When I
wished to retire I found five closed doors. Hext morning
the lamentations of the evening were repeated. I fled
again, and hunted with the king. When I returned,
weary, hungry, and cold (it was spring, and we were still
at Ecbatana, while the snow lay several feet deep on the
Orontes), I found no fire on the hearth, no meal prepared.
The noble crew had conspired to extinguish the fire and
to forbid the cooks to do their duty, in order to punish
me. Worst of all, they had also kept the jewels. I
had scarcely commanded the slaves to light the fire and
prepare a meal, when the insolent jeweller appeared and
demanded the money. I refused to pay, and again spent
the night locked out by my wives, and next morning
sacrificed ten talents for the sake of peace. Since then I
dread union among my beloved ones as I dread the evil

THE AEKEST OF BAETJA.

233

divs, and I like nothing better than their little quarrels
and disputes.”

“ Poor Zopyrus ! ” laughed Bart j a.

“ Poor ! ” said the lively husband. “ I assui'e you I am
happier than you. My wives are young and graceful, and
when they grow old, what is to prevent me from talcing
more beautiful ones to my home, who will appear twice as
lovely when compared with the faded women. Hallo,
slave, bring the lamps. The sun has set, and only when
blight light shines on the table, does the wine taste
good.”

“ Hark ! how beautifully the nightingale sings ! ” cried
Darius, who had gone into the open air.

“By Mitkra, son of Hystaspes, you are in love,” Araspes
cried, interrupting the youth’s exclamation. “ As truly as
I am called Araspes, he who leaves his wine to listen to
the nightingale, has been wounded by the flowery arrow
of love.”

“ You are right, father,” cried Bartja. “ Philomele, as
the Greeks call our nightingale, in whose heart love puts
such beautiful songs, is the bird of love among all nations.
Of whose beauty were you dreaming when you stepped out
into the night to listen to her ? ”

“ Of none,” he answered. “ You know I like to observe
the starry heavens. The Tistar star rose this evening with
such beauty, that I left my wine to look at it. I should
have had to close my ears to avoid hearing the nightingale’s
loud song.”

“ You opened them wide enough. Your delighted excla-
mation proved that,” laughed Araspes.

“ Enough ! ” cried Darius, vexed by this teazing.

“Imprudent boy,” whispered the old man, “now you
have really betrayed yourself. If you were not in love,
you would laugh instead of getting angry. But I will not
irritate you. What do you read in the stars ? ”

Darius at these words again looked up at the sky, and
fixed his glance on a bright constellation that hovered
over the horizon. Zopyrus looked at the astrologer and
cried to his friends : “ Something important must be hap-
pening up there. Darius, tell us what is taking place in
the sky?”

234

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

“Nothing good,” he returned. “I must speak with
you alone, Bartja.”

“Why? Araspes is discreet, and I hare no secrets
from the others.”

“ But — ”

“ Begin ! ”

“No ; I must ask you to follow me into the garden.”

Bartja nodded to his guests, put his arm round Darius’
shoulder, and went out with him into the moonlight. When
they were alone, Hystaspes’ son seized his friend’s hand and
said : “ To-day for the third time there are movements in the
heavens that bode you no good. Your evil star approaches
your good star so closely, that it needs but little knowledge
of astrology to prophesy that a serious danger threatens
you. Be careful, Bartja, and leave to-day for Egypt, for
the stars tell me that the danger threatens you on the
Euphrates, and not in distant lands.”

“ Do you really believe in the prophetic powers of the
stars?”

“ They never lie.”

“ Then it would be folly to strive to escape what they
foretell?”

“ Certainly, no one can escape his fate ; but destiny is
like the fencing masters, who prefer that pupil who can
fight best and most gallantly with them. Start for Egypt
to-day, Bartja.”

“ I cannot, for I have not said farewell to my mother
and Atossa.”

“ Bid them farewell through a messenger, and let Croesus
explain to them the reasons for your departure.”

“ They would think me a coward ! ”

“To flee from man is shameful; to avoid destiny is
wise.”

“ You contradict yourself, Darius. What would the
fencing master say to the pupil who fled ? ”

“He would rejoice at the stratagem by which the indi-
vidual strove to escape a superior power.”

“ Which would finally overtake and destroy him. How
can I seek to delay a danger which you yourself say is
inevitable ? If a tooth hurts me, I at once have it extracted,
while women and cowards suffer for weeks in order to

THE ARREST OF BARTJA.

235

delay the painful operation as long as possible. I await
danger boldly, and hope that I may quietly meet it, so aa
to leave it behind me all the sooner.”

“ You do not know its extent.”

“ Do you fear for my life ? ”

“Ho”

“ Tell me then what you fear ? ”

“The Egyptian priest at Sais with whom I observed
the stars, cast your horoscope -with me. He was more
skilled in observing the heavens than any man I have ever
met. I owe him much knowledge, and will not conceal
from you that he has several times drawn my attention to
dangers which threatened you/’

“ You concealed this from me ? ”

“Why should I alarm you prematurely? How that
your fate approaches I warn you.”

“I thank you, and will be cautious. Once I should
not have listened to your warnings, but since I love, it
seems to me that I must not risk my life as freely as
formerly.”

“ I understand your feeling.”

“You understand me? Then Araspes is right. You
do not deny it ? ”

“ A dream without hope.”

“What woman could reject you?”

“ Reject ! ”

“ I do not understand you. Does your courage fail you
before a woman — you the boldest hunter, the strongest
wrestler, the wisest of all young Persians ? ”

“ May I confide in you, Bartja, confide in you more than
in my own father ? ”

“ You may.”

“I love the daughter of Cyrus, your and the king’s
sister, Atossa.”

“ Do I understand you right ? You love Atossa 1 I
thank yon, you pure Ameska Spenta. 1 Henceforth I
shall no longer fear your stars, for instead of the dangers
with which they threaten me, they give me an unexpected

1 Amesha Spenta (sacred immortals) resemble the Hebrew arch-*
angels, They surround Auramazda’a throne.

236

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

happiness. Embrace me, my brother, and tell me the
story of your love, that I may help you to turn to reality
what you call a dream without hope.”

“ Before our departure for Egypt, we, as you know,
went with the whole court from Ecbatana to Susa. At
that time I commanded the division of the Immortals,
which had to protect the carriage of the royal women. In
the narrow pass which leads over the Orontes, the horses
which drew the carriage of your mother and sister fell.
The yoke to which the horses were fastened broke from
the axle, and before my eyes the heavy four-wheeled car-
riage fell into the abyss. We urged our horses to their
utmost speed, and saw the vehicle disappear. When we
reached the scene of misfortune, we expected to see ruins
and dead bodies, but the gods had taken your family under
their powerful protection, and the chariot hurled into the
abyss rested with its broken wheels on the branches of
two gigantic cypress trees, which clung with their tough
roots to the split slate, and stretched their dark crests to
the edge of the path.

“ Quick as thought I sprang from my horse, and without
reflecting climbed down one of the cypresses. Your mother
and sister called for help, and stretched their arms towards
me. Their danger was great. The concussion had torn
the wooden walls from their hinges, and each moment
they threatened to give way and expose the women to the
inevitable fall into the abyss, which black, deep, un-
fathomable, the seat of the black divs, seemed waiting to
crush the beautiful victims in its jaws.

“ I stood clinging to the stem of the cypress in front of
the ruined carriage which hung over the precipice. Then
for the first time your sister’s entreating glance fell on me.
Since that moment I have loved Atossa, but at the time I
did not know what passed in my heart, for I could think
of nothing but saving them. With eager haste I lifted
the trembling women from the carriage, which a minute
later gave way and fell crashing into the abyss. I am a
strong man, but I had to exert all my strength to keep
myself and the two women above the precipice, till ropes
were thrown down to me. Atossa clung round my neck,
with my left hand I held Cassandane, who leant against

THE AEEEST OF BARTJA.

237

me. With ray right hand I wound the rope round my body.
We were drawn up, and a few minutes later I stood safe
on the road with your mother and sister.

“ Aiter a magus had bound up the wound cut by the
rope in my side, the king sent for me, gave me this chain,
and the revenues of a whole province, and afterwards led
me to the women, who warmly expressed their gratitude.
Cassandane allowed me to kiss her brow, and gave me all
the jewels she wore in the moment of danger, for my
future wife. Atossa drew a ring from her finger, and put
it on my hand, which with her usual impetuosity she kissed
in token of gratitude. After that day, the happiest of my
life, I did not see your sister again till yesterday. At the
great birthday feast we sat opposite each other. My eye
met hers. I saw nothing but Atossa, and know she lias
not forgotten her preserver. Cassandane — ”

“ 0, my mother would gladly call you her son, I pledge
you my word. Tour father can appeal to the king. He is
our uncle, and may with perfect right demand Cyrus’
daughter for his son.”

“Do you remember your father’s dream? C&mbyses
has always looked on me with suspicion on account of
that dream.”

“ That has long been forgotten. My father dreamed
before his death that you had received wings, and there-
fore, deceived by the soothsayers, he feared you, a boy of
eighteen, would try to seize the throne. Cambyses remem-
bered that vision, till you saved our relatives, when
Croesus declared the dream was fulfilled. Only a winged
eagle, or Darius, could have hoverod over a precipice with
such skill and strength.”

“ Cambyses was not much pleased with this interpretation.
He wants to be the only eagle in Persia, but Croesus never
flattered his pride.”

“ I wonder where he is all this time ? ”

“He is in the hanging gardens. Tour father and
G-obryas are probably detaining him.”

“ I call that polite ! ” cried Zopyrus at this moment.
“ Bartja invites us to a feast, and leaves us to empty our
goblets without a host, while he talks secrets ! ”

“We are coming, we are coming,” returned the prince.

238

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

Then he seized Darius’s hand, pressed it, and said: “Your
loYe for Atossa makes me happy. I shall stay till the day
after to-morrow, though the stars threaten me with all the
dangers of the world. To-morrow I will sound Atossa’ s
heart ; and not till everything is in the right track will X
go hence, and leave my winged Darius to reach his goal by
his own strength.”

With these words Bartja went towards the bower, while
his friend looked at the sky. The longer he looked at the
stars, the darker became his face. When the Tistar star
set, he murmured: “Poor Bartja!” His friends called
him, and he was about to return to them, when he noticed
a new star, whose position he observed with attention.
The gravity of his looks changed to a triumphant smile ;
his tall figure seemed to grow still taller ; he pressed his
hand on his heart, and, whispering softly : “ Winged Darius,
use your pinions, your star will aid you,” he returned to his
companions.

Soon afterwards Croesus approached the bower. The
youths sprang from their seats to welcome the old man, who
stood as though struck by lightning when he recognized
Bartja in the bright moonlight.

“What has happened, father ? ” asked G-yges, anxiously
seizing Croesus’ hand.

“ Nothing, nothing,” he murmured, half inaudibly. Then
he pushed his son aside, approached Bartja, and whispered
in his ear : “ Unhappy boy ! You are still here. Do not
linger, but fly. The whip-bearers who are to arrest you
Hollow close upon my heels. Believe me, if you do not
hasten, you will pay for your double crime with your
life.”

“But, Croesus, X — ”

“ You have laughed to scorn the law of this land and this
court ; and at least, to judge from appearances, you have
injured your brother’s honour.”

“You speak — ”

“ Ply, fly, I tell you, for though you went to the Egyp-
tian in the hanging gardens with the most innocent inten-
tions, you have everything to fear. How could you, who
know Cambyses* fury so well, break his express command
in this wanton manner ? ”

THE ARREST OF BARTJA.

239

“ I do not understand — ”

“No excuses. Go. You do not know that Cambysos
has long looked on you with jealousy ; that your visit to
the Egyptian at night — ”

“Since Nitetis came here I have not set foot in the
hanging gardens.”

“ Do not add falsehood to crime. I — ”

“ I swear — ”

“ Do you wish to turn an indiscretion into a crime by
perjury? The whip-hearers are coming; fly, fly ! ”

“ I shall stay, for I keep to my oath.”

“ Infatuated hoy, know that I myself, Hystaspes, and
other Achoemenidse saw you not an hour ago in the hang-
ing gardens ! ”

In his surprise, Bart j a had allowed the old man to lead
him away, almost unresisting ; hut when he heard the last
words, he stopped, called his friends, and said : “ Croesus
says he saw me less than an hour ago in the hanging
gardens, hut as you know I have not left you since sunset.
Let your testimony confirm that some evil div has deceived
our friend and his companions.”

“ I swear to you, father,” cried Gyges, “ that Bartja has
not left this garden for several hours.”

“We swear the same,” said Araspes, Darius, and
Zopyrus.

“ You wish to deceive me,” said Croesus, angrily, and
looking from one to the other reproachfully. “ Do you
think I am blind or mad ? Do you think your testimony
would outweigh that of nohle Hystaspes, Gobryas, Inta-
phernes, and the chief priest, Oropastes. In spite of your
false testimony, which no friendship excuses, Bartja is a
dead man if he does not fly.”

“ Angramainjus, destroy me ! ” cried old Araspes, inter-
rupting the old man, “ if the son of Cyrus was in the
hanging gardens two honrs ago.”

“You need no longer call me your son,” added Gyges.

“ if our testimony is false.” * * °

“ The eternal stars — ” began Darius, when Bartja in-
terrupted the speakers, who were all talking at once, and
said, calmly :

“ Yonder a division of the bodyguard enters the

240

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

gardens. I am to be arrested, and cannot fly because I
am innocent, and would thus lay myself open to the
suspicion of guilt. By tbe soul of my father, by tbe blind
eyes of my mother, by the pure light of the sun, I swear,
Croesus, that I am not deceiving you.”

“ Shall I believe you rather than my own eyes which
never deceived me yet ? I will, boy, for I love and honour
you. Whether you are innocent or guilty, I know not, and do
not wish to know ; but I know that you must fly, fly quickly.
You know Cambyses. My chariot waits at the gate. Drive
the horses till they drop, but go. The soldiers seem to
know what is at stake, for they certainly linger so long
that you, their favourite, may have time to escape. Hasten,
then, or you are lost ! ”

“ My, Bartja,” cried Darius, urging on his friend.
“ Remember the warning which heaven itself sent you.”

Bartja silently shook his beautiful head, and, signing to
his anxious friends to fall back, said : “ I have never yet
fled, and I mean to stand firm to-day. Cowardice seems
to me worse than death ; and I would rather suffer injus-
tice from others than disgrace myself. Here are the
soldiers. Welcome, Bishen ! You come to arrest me ?
Yes P Wait a minute, till I have bidden my friends fare-
wefl.”

Bishen, to whom he spoke, an old captain of Cyrus’
who had given Bartja his first lessons in shooting with the
bow, and throwing the spear, who had fought at his side
against the Tapuri, and who loved him as his own son,
interrupted the youth and said : “You need not bid your
friends farewell, for the king, who is raging like a madman,
commanded me to arrest you and all who were with
you.”

Then he added in a low voice : “ The king is beside him-
self with rage, and threatens your life. You must escape.
My people obey me blindly and will not pursue you. I
am old, and Persia will lose little if my head falls.”

“ I thank you, friend,” returned Bartja, giving him his
hand, “ but I cannot accept your sacrifice. I am innocent,
and I know that Cambyses, though passionate, is not unjust.
Come, my friends, I think the king will try us to-day.”

CHAPTER XIX.

CONDEMNED TO DEATH. '

T WO hours later Bart j a was standing, with his com-
panions, before the king. The gigantic man sat, pale
and holjow-eyed, in his golden chair, behind which his court
physicians stood with various vessels and instruments. But
a few minutes had elapsed since Cambyses had recovered
consciousness, after he had been for more than an hour the
victim of that terrible malady which disorders body and
soul, and which we call the falling sickness, or epilepsy.

Since Hitetis’ arrival he had been spared by this terrible
malady, which in consequence of his wild excitement had
now attacked him with unusual violence.

If he had met Bart j a a few hours earlier he would have
killed him with his own hand. The fit had not subdued
his anger, but it had lessened it so far that he could hear
accused and accusers.

On the right of the throne stood Hystaspes, Darius’ aged
father, G-obryas, his future father-in-law, old Intaphernes,
the grandfather of that Phsedime, who had lost the king’s
favour because of the Egyptian, the chief priest, Oropastes,
Crcesus, and behind him Boges, the chief eunuch. On the
left were Bart] a, his hands heavily fettered, Araspes,
Darius, Zopyrus, G-yges. Several hundred dignitaries stood
in the background.

After a long silence, Cambyses raised his eyes, fixed
them with a terrible look on the fettered youth, and said
in a hollow voice : “ Chief priest, say what awaits the man
who deceives his brother, dishonours and insults the king,
and blackens his heart with dark lies ? ”

Oropastes advanced and said : “ As soon as his guilt is
proved he may expect a death of agony in this world, and

a

242

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

a terrible judgment on the bridge Chin vat, 1 for he has
sinned against the highest commandments, and by com-
mitting three sins he has lost the right to claim the mercy
of our laws, which give life to him who has erred but
once, though he he only a slave.”

“ Then Bartja must die. Lead him away, guards, and
strangle him. Lead him away. Silence, miserable man !
I will not listen again to your hypocritical voice, never
again meet your false eye, which deceives all with wanton
looks, and owes its origin to the divs. Away, guards ! ”

Bishen approached to carry out his command, but
Croesus advanced at this moment, flung himself on the
ground, touched the floor with his forehead, raised his
hands and said : “ May every day, every year, bring you
nothing but happiness. Auramazda send you all that is
good, and the Amesha Spenta be the guardians of your
throne. Do not shut your ears to the words of age, and
remember that your father Cyrus appointed me your
counsellor. You are about to murder your brother, but I
charge you not to follow the dictates of your wrath, but to
seek to control yourself. It is the duty of wise men and
kings to examine before they act. Beware of shedding
your brother’s blood, for know it will rise up to heaven
and become a cloud which will darken the days of the
murderer and fling a thousand darts of vengeance upon
him. But I know you will judge and not murder. Act
in accordance with the custom of those who judge, and
hear both sides before you pronounce sentence. When
you have done this, and when his guilt has been proved
and he has confessed, then the blood shed will not darken
your existence and, instead of the vengeance of the gods,
you will gain the reputation of being a just judge.”

Cambyses listened to the old man in silence, signed to
Bishen to stand back, and bade Boges repeat his
accusations.

The eunuch bowed and began : “ I was ill and was,

1 The third day after death, at sunrise, the souls were led to the
bridge Chinvat by the divs, and interrogated as to their life. There
the heavenly powers fought for the soul. The good were assisted by
pure spirits, and enter heaven as victors. The evil were unaided, and
were dragged bound to hell.

CONDEMNED TO DEATH,

243

therefore, obliged to resign the care of the Egyptian to
my companion, Candaules, who has paid for his negli-
gence with his life. Towards evening I felt better and
entered the gardens to see if all were in order, and to
look at the rare flower which was to blossom this night.
The king, may Auramazda grant him victory, had com-
manded that the Egyptian should be more strictly guarded
than usual, because she had dared to address a letter to
noble Bart j a — ”

“ Silence/’ interrupted the king, “ keep to the point/’

“ Just as the Tistar star rose, I reached the gardens and
stayed for a while with these noble Achcemenidm, the
chief priest and king Croesus, by the blue lily, which was
truly of extraordinary beauty. Then I called my comrade,
Candaules, and asked, in the presence of these noble
witnesses, whether everything was in order. He answered
affirmatively, and added that he had just come from the
Egyptian, who had wept the whole day and touched
neither food nor drink. I felt anxious as to my mistress’s
health, hade Candaules fetch a physician, and was about to
leave the noble Achoemenidee in order to convince myself of
the condition of the princess, when I saw a man’s figure in
the moonlight. I was so weak and ill that I could scarcely
stand, and had no assistance near save the gardener. My
subordinates kept guard at the entrance, a good way off. I
clapped my hands to summon some of them and as they
did not come, I approached the house, protected by these
noble men. The man stood in front of the Egyptian’s
window and whistled softly. Immediately a second figure,
distinctly visible in the clear moonlight, sprang from the
window of the Egyptian’s bedroom into the garden, and
came towards us with his companion. I thought my eyes
deceived me when I recognized noble Bartja in the intruder.
A fig-tree hid us from the fugitives, but we could see them
quite distinctly when they passed four paces from us.
While I was considering whether I had a right to arrest a son
of Cyrus, Croesus called to Bartja. Both men vanished sud-
denly behind a cypress. We followed, and for a long time
searched in vain for those who had so mysteriously
escaped. Tour brother will be able to explain his strange
disappearance. When I searched the house directly after

244

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

the Egyptian was lying unconscious on the divan in her
bedroom.”

All present listened anxiously. Cambyses ground his
teeth, and ashed in an excited voice :

“ Can you confirm the eunuch’s testimony ? ”

“ Yes.”

“ Why did you not arrest the guilty man ? ”

“We are warriors, not constables.”

“ Or rather you love that boy better than your king.”

“We honour you and loathe the criminal Bartja as
much as we loved Cyrus’ innocent son.”

“ Did you actually recognize Bartja ? ”

“ Yes.”

“ You, too, Croesus, cannot deny this ? ”

“No. I thought I saw your brother in the moonlight as
distinctly as I see you, but I believe some wonderful like-
ness must have deceived us.”

Boges turned pale at these words, but Cambyses shook
his head disapprovingly, and said : “ WTiom may I believe,
if the eyes of my best heroes are deceived ? Who would
like to be judge if testimony like yours has no value ? ”

“ Other evidence as credible as ours will prove to you
that we must have been mistaken.”

“Who dares bear witness for this guilty man?” cried
Cambyses, springing up, and stamping.

“We, we, we,” cried Araspes, Darius, G-yges, and Zopy-
rus, unanimously.

“ Traitors, villains,” cried the king. But his eye met
Croesus’ warning look, and he lowered his voice, and said :
’* What have you to say in favour of this criminal ? Think
,rell before you speak, and remember the punishment that
awaits false witnesses.”

“ We do not need this warning,” said Araspes ; “ but we
can swear that we have not left Bartja and his garden for
a minute since we returned from the chase.”

“ And,” added Darius, “ I, the son of Bystaspes, can
prove most clearly your brother’s innocence, for with him
I observed the Tistar star which, according to Boges, is
said to have shone on his flight .”

Hytaspes, at these words, seemed surprised, and looked
questioningly at his son ; Cambyses gazed searchingly, and

CONDEMNED TO DEATH.

245

with, indecision, now at one and now at the other party of
witnesses who were used to believe each other, and yet
could not do so now.

Bartja, who till then had remained silent, and looked
mournfully on the chains which bound his hands, seized
the opportunity while all were silent, and said, bowing
low : “ Will you allow me to say a few words, my king ? ”

44 Speak ! ”

“ Our father taught us by his example to aim at what is
good and pure alone, therefore, till now, my life was blame-
less. If you can accuse me of a wrong act do not believe
me, but if you find no fault in me, trust my words, and re-
member that a son of Cyrus would rather perish than lie.
I acknowledge, no judge was ever placed in. a more difficult
position than you. The best men of your land bear witness
against the best, friend against friend, father against son.
But I tell you, if all Persia raised its hand against you,
and swore Cambyses did this or that, and you declared : 44 1
did not do it,” then I, Bartja, would accuse all Persia of
falsehood, and would cry : 4 You are false witnesses, for the
sea will throw out fire before the mouth of a son of Cyrus
will lie/ We are both so high in rank, that you alone can
bear witness against me, you alone against yourself.” At
these words, Cambyses looked less angrily at his brother,
who continued: 44 1 swear that I am innocent, by Mithra
and all pure spirits. If since my return I have entered the
hanging gardens, if my tongue lies, let my life be forfeited,
and my race perish.”

Bartja swore with such firm conviction in his voice, that
Cambyses ordered his chains to he removed. Then he said,
after reflecting for a minute: 44 1 will believe you, for I
cannot look on you as the most abandoned of men. To-
morrow we will ask the astrologers, prophets, and priests.
Perhaps they can explain the truth. Do you see light in
the darkness, Oropastes ? ” °

44 Your servant thinks a div must have taken Bartja’s
form to ruin your brother, and stain your royal soul with
the blood of your father's son.”

Cambyses and all present nodded approvingly. Cam-
b 7 s i\ was J* us * a ^ ou ^ b 0 give his brother his hand, when a
staff-bearer entered, and handed the king a dagger. A

246

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

eunuch had found it under the window of Nitetis* bed-
room. Oambyses looked keenly at the weapon, the valuable
hilt of which was encrusted with rubies and turquoises,
turned pale, and suddenly flung- the dagger at Bartja’s
feet with such violence, that the jewels sprang out of their
setting.

“ It is your dagger, miserable boy,” he cried, passionately,

“ This morning you used it to deal the final blow to the boar
I slew. You must know it, Croesus, for my father took it
from your treasure-chamber at Sardes. Now your guilt is
proved, you liar and deceiver ! The divs need no weapons,
and knives like this are not found everywhere. You feel
in your girdle, you turn pale, the knife is not there ! ”

“ It is gone. I must have lost it, or an enemy — ”

“ Bind him, chain him, Bishen. Take the traitor and
the false witnesses to prison. To-morrow they shall he
strangled. Death is the punishment for perjury. If they
escape, the heads of the guards will fall. I will not hear
a word. Away, perjured knaves ! Hurry to the hang-
ing gardens, Boges, and bring the Egyptian. But, no, 1
will not see the serpent again. The morning will soon
dawn. At noon the traitress shall be whipped through
the town, then I — ”

The king could not continue, for he was seized by another
fit, and fell on the marble floor of the hall.

During this horrible scene, Cassandane entered, led
by the old general, Megabyzus. The news of what had
happened had reached her secluded rooms. In spite of
the lateness of the hour, she set forth to find out the
truth, and bid her son beware of premature haste. She
believed firmly in the innocence of Bartja and Nitetis,
though sho could not explain what had happened. Several
times she had tried to communicate with the Egyptian, but
in vain ; the guard had even had the boldness to refuse her
admission when she came herself.

Croesus hastened towards her, told her as considerately
as he could what had happened, strengthened her belief in
the innocence of the accused, and led her to her son, the
king.

The paroxysms had not lasted long this time. Exhausted
and pale, Cambyses lay on his golden couch under covering?

CONDEMNED TO DEXTH.

247

of purple silk. His mother sat by liim. At the foot
of the bed stood Croesus, and in the background the
court physicians consulted in whispers as to the king's
condition.

Cassandane gently bade her son beware of passionate
outbreaks, and consider what sad effects every outburst
of anger might have on his health.

“ You are right, mother," answered the king, smiling
bitterly. “ It will be necessary for me to clear all that
arouses my anger out of my way. The Egyptian shall die,
and my treacherous brother follow his adulterous love."

Cassandane exerted all her eloquence in favour of the
accused, and strove to calm the wrath of the king ; but
neither entreaties, tears, nor motherly admonitions were
able to alter Cambyses* resolution to rid himself of the
destroyers of his happiness and peace.

At last Cambyses interrupted the lamentations of his
aged mother, and said : “ I feel utterly exhausted, and can
no longer listen to your sobs and lamentations. Nit Otis’
guilt is proved; a man left her room at midnight; and this
man was no other than the handsomest of the Persians, to
whom she yesterday dared to send a letter."

“Do you know the contents of this letter?" asked
Crcesus, approaching the bed.

“PTo, it was wintten in Greek. The faithless woman
chose for her criminal message, characters which no one at
the court can understand."

“ Will you allow me to translate this letter to you ? "

Cambyses pointed with his hand to a little ivory box in
which the fatal letter lay, and said : “ Take it, and read it,
but do not conceal a word. To-morrow I will have it
read again by one of the merchants of Sinope who are in
Babylon."

Croesus took a deep breath, and with renewed hope, took
the letter in his hand. When he had read it, his eyes
filled with tears, and he mnrmured : “ The legend of Pan-
dora is true, I can no longer be angry with the poets who
abuse women. All, all are false and faithless. O, Cassan-
dane, how treacherous are the gods ! They bestow age on
us, but only to strip us, like the trees which lose their
leaves when winter approaches, and to show us that all that

248

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

we took for gold is copper, and that the thing from which
we hoped for refreshment is poison.”

Cassandane wept aloud, and rent her costly garments,
but Cambyses clenched his fist when Croesus read the
following words with deep emotion : —

“Nitetis, daughter of Amasis of Egypt, to Bart j a, son
of great Cyrus.

“I have something important to tell you, and you
alone. I hope to see you to-morrow at your mother's. It
is in your power to comfort a poor loving heart, and to
grant it a happy moment before it perishes. I have many
sad things to tell you, and repeat that I must see you
soon.”

The despairing laugh of her son pierced the mother's
heart. She leant over him to kiss him, but Cambyses re-
sisted her embraces, and said : “ It is a doubtful honour to
be one of your favourites. Bart j a did not let the traitress
call him twice, and dishonoured himself with false oaths.
Bis friends, the flower of our youth, have for his sake
covered themselves with perpetual shame, and through him

your favourite daughter is ; but, no, Bart j a is not

to blame for the perfidy of this monster, who wears the
form of a peri. Her life consisted of hypocrisy, lies, and
deceit ; her death will show you that I understand how to
punish. Leave me now, I must be alone.”

Cambyses was no sooner alone than he sprang up,
and paced up and down the room, till the holy bii’d,
Parodar, announced the day. When the sun rose, he
again lay down on the bed, and sank into a stuporlike
sleep.

During these events the young prisoners and old Araspes
sat drinking together after Bart j a had dictated to Gyges a
farewell letter to Sappho.

“ Let us be cheerful,” cried Zopyrus, “ for I think our
joys will soon be over. May I live no longer if we are not
one and all dead to-morrow morning. Pity that we mortals
have but one neck. If we had two, I would bet more than
one piece of gold in favour of our lives.”

“ Zopyrus is right,” added Araspes. “ We will be gay,
and keep our eyes open, for they will soon enough close for
ever.”

CONDEMNED TO DEATH.

249

“ He who dies innocent, as we do, has no cause for grief,”
said Gl-yges.

“Ho, Bartja and Darius,” cried Zopyrus to his friends,
who were talking together in a low voice, “ have you more
secrets ? Come to us, and drink your wine. By Mithra ! I
never wished for death ; hut to-day I look forward to
black Azis, 1 for he will carry us off together. Zopyrus
would rather die with his friends than live without them.”

“Pirst of all,” said Darius, joining his friends with
Bartja, “we must try and explain what has happened.”

“ It’s all the same to me,” cried Zopyrus, “ whether I
die with or without explanation, if only I know that I am
innocent, and have not deserved the death of a false
witness. Bring golden goblets, Bishen; wine does not
please me in these common bronze cups. Cambyses may
forbid our fathers and friends to come to us, but he
cannot wish that we should suffer privation in our last
hours.”

“ Hot the common metal of the vessel, but the worm-
wood of death, embitters the draught,” said Bartja.

“ Ho, indeed,” cried Zopyrus. “ I had already forgotten
that strangling kills.” With these words, he touched
G-yges, and whispered: “Be cheerful. Do you not see
that Bartja finds it hard to quit the earth ? WTiat do you
say, Darius ? ”

“ I think it must be as Oropastes imagined, and that an
evil div took Bartja’s form, and went to the Egyptian to
ruin us.”

“ Polly ! I do not believe in such things.”

“ Do you not remember the legend of King Kavus, to
whom a div appeared in the beautiful form of a singer ? ”

“ Certainly,” cried Araspes. “ Cyrus had the legend
sung so often at his banquets, that I know it by heart. Do
you wish to hear it ? ”

“ Yes, we will listen with pleasure,” cried the youths.
Araspes considered a minute, then he began, half reciting,
half singing :

<c When Kavus in his father’s stead held sway,

And all the world was subject to his sway,

1 An eyil spirit who killed human beings. Vendid, xviii. 45.

250

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

When all mankind trembled before his eye,

When round him he saw stores of treasures lie,

Saw strings of fairest pearls and chains and thrones,

And glittering jewels and gems and golden crowns,

The noble steeds, shapely and strong of limb,

He deemed that there was none could equal him.

In a rose bower with gold adornments gay,

Quaffing the grape’s sweet juice he sat one day.

u Meanwhile a div unto a courtier went,

Disguised in minstrel garb, and craved consent
For audience with the Shah. Thus he began :

* I am a minstrel from Masenderan,

And if the Shah desires my song to hear,

Let him command me that I now draw near.’

“ That he should enter, Kavus gave command s

* Let him among my host of minstrels stand.’

Then struck the div his strings and thus began
In praise of beautiful Masenderan.”

" Do you ytish. to hear the song of Masenderan ? M
“ Yes ; go on.”

li Praise on my land Masenderan bestow.

May fortune to its meads her fair smiles show,

Where in the gardens roses ever bloom,

Tulip, anemone on the hillside bloom,

The fields are ever green, and pure the air,

Nor heat nor frost may banish springtime there $

Within the wood the nightingale still sings,

And on the mountain side the glad doe springs,

And from her nimble course seeks no repose ;

There all is filled with scent, with colour glows.

Rosewater there the beds of rivers fills,

And its sweet scent into the soul distils.

In Bahman, Ader, Ferwerdin, and Di, 1 *
The tulips blossom, there they never die.

The river banks are green the whole year round,

The falcons ready for the chase are found ;

Far as the land extends, there far and wide
Are gold and silk and jewels on every side.

The priests are crowned with diadems of gold,

The nobles all have girdles edged with gold.

If any is denied admission there,

The greatest happiness is not his share.” 3

1 May, March, July, April.

3 From Ferdusi’s Epic of Kings. Ferdusi was born a.d. 940, and
celebrated the most ancient Persian history in his fine epic. Kai Kavus

belonged to the family of the Kajanidse, who, if they are not purely

CONDEMNED TO DEATH.

251

" And Kai Kavus listened to the words of the div in the
form of a singer ; and went to Masenderan, and there he
was defeated by the divs, and robbed of his eyesight.”

“But/’ interrupted Darius, “the great hero, Rustem,
came and killed Erscheng and the other evil spirits, freed
the king, and restored the blind men’s sight by rubbing
the blood of the slain divs on their eyes. So it will be with
us, my friends. We, the prisoners, will be freed, and
Cambyses and our deluded fathers will have their eyes
opened, and acknowledge our innocence. Listen, Bishen !
If we are killed, go to the magi, the Chaldieans, and the
Egyptian hTehenchari, and tell them no longer to study
the stars, for they had proved to Darius that they were
liars and deceivers.”

“ I always said,” interrupted Araspes, “ that only dreams
can prophesy. Before Abradat fell in the battle at Sardes,
the incomparable Panthea saw him in a dream pierced by
a Lydian arrow.”

“ Cruel man,” cried Zopyrus, “ must you remind us that
it is better to die on the battle-field than with a bowstring
round your neck P ”

“ Yon are right,” said the old man. “ I have seen many
a death that seemed preferable to ours — even to life itself.
Oh, children, there was a time which was better than the
present.”

“ Tell ns of those days.”

“ Tell ns, rather, why yon never married. In another
world it will not hurt you if we betray your secret.”

“ I have no secret, for yonr fathers could tell you what
you wish to know. Listen, then.

“ When I was young, I trifled with women, and scoffed
at love. Chance willed that Panthea, the loveliest of
her sex, fell into Cyrus’ hands. As I boasted that my
heart was invulnerable, Cyrus made me her guardian. I
saw her daily, and, my friends, I learnt that love is stronger
than onr will. She repulsed my suit, and induced Cyrus to
remove me from her, and to make her husband, Abradat, his

legendary characters, reigned before the Achmmenidae. We have intro-
duced the poem of a poet who lived so long after the time of our story,
because his songs keep close to ancient Persian traditions, and are truly
Persian in character.

252

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

ally. When they went to war, the noble woman decked
her husband with all her jewels, and told him that he
could only repay the virtue of Cyrus, who had treated
her, his prisoner, like a sister, by the most devoted friend-
ship and heroic courage. Abradat agreed with his wife,
fought like a lion, and fell. Panthea killed herself beside
his body. When her servants heard this, they too, killed
themselves at the grave of the fairest of mistresses. Cyrus
mourned the noble pair, and had a monument raised to
them, which you can still see at Sardes. On it are the
simple words: ‘To Panthea, Abradat, and the most faithful
of servants/ You see, children, he who loved such a woman
cannot think of another.”

The young heroes listened in silence to the old man, and
long after he had ended they sat without speaking. At
last Bartja raised his hands to heaven, and cried: “Oh,
mighty Auramazda! why do you not let me end like
Abradat P why must we die a shameful death like mur-
derers ? ”

At this moment Croesus, accompanied by whip-bearers,
entered the hall, with bound hands. The friends hastened
to meet him, and overwhelmed him with questions. Gyges
threw himself on his father’s breast. Bartja approached
the guide of his youth with open arms.

The old man’s cheerful face was stern and grave. His
eyes, usually so gentle, were gloomy — almost threatening.
He motioned back the prince with a cold, commanding
gesture ; and said in a trembling, reproachful voice, full of
grief : “ Let go my hand, deluded boy ; you are not worth
the love I gave you till this day. Pour times faithless, you
have deceived your brother, deceived your friends, betrayed
the poor child who waits for you in Naucratis, and poisoned
the heart of Amasis’ unhappy daughter.”

At first Bartja listened quietly; but when Crcesus
uttered the word “deceived,” he clenched his fists, stamped
wildly, and cried: “Your years, your weakness, and the
gratitude I owe you, protect you, old man, else these words
of scorn had been your last ! ”

Croesus listened calmly to this explosion of just anger,
and said : “ You and Cambyses come of the same stock ;
your foolish anger proves that. It would be more seemly

CONDEMNED TO DEATH.

253

if you repented of your crimes, and "begged me, your teacher
and friend, to forgive you, instead of adding ingratitude to
your other shameful crimes.”

These words calmed the anger of the insulted youth.
His clenched hands sank powerless to his side, and his
face turned deadly pale.

These apparent signs of repentance softened the old
man’s indignation. His love was strong enough to cling
to Bartja, guilty or innocent. He seized his right hand in
both his own and asked him, as a father might speak to
his son whom he met wounded in the battle-field :
“ Confess, poor misguided boy, how it was possible that
your pure heart so quickly fell a prey to evil P ”

Bartja listened to these words with horror. The colour
returned to his face, but his heart was filled with bitter
woe. Eor the first time his faith in the justice of the
gods forsook him. He called himself the victim of a cruel,
inexorable destiny. He felt what the innocent, hunted
animal must feel when it falls and hears the approaching
dogs and hunters. His tender, child-like nature did not
know how to bear the first serious attacks of destiny. His
body and courage had been steeled against mortal enemies,
but his tutors had taught him, as little as his brother, how
to ward off the misfortunes of fate. Cambyses and
Bartja seemed intended to drain only the cup of joy and
happiness.

Zopyrus could not bear to see his friend’s tears. He
angrily reproached the old man for his injustice. G-yges
looked entreatingly at his father. Araspes placed himself
between the reproachful man and the offended youth.
Darius, after having for a time calmly observed them,
approached Croesus and said : “ You insult and hurt each
other while the accused does not know what he is accused
of, and the judge does not listen to his defence. I intreat
you, Croesus, for the sake of the friendship which united
us till to-day, to tell us what induced you to judge
Bartja so severely, when a short time ago you believed in
his innocence.”

The old naan acceded to this request, and told them that
he had read a letter in the Egyptian’s own writing, in
which she asked the youth for a private interview. His

254

AST EGYPTIAN miNCESS.

own eyes, the evidence of the first men of the realm, even
the dagger found before the house had not been able to
convince him of his favourite's guilt, but the letter had
entered his heart like a torch and destroyed the remains of
his belief in the faith and purity of woman.

“ I left the king,” he concluded, “ firmly convinced that
there was a criminal understanding between your friend
and the Egyptian, whose heart I had looked on till then as
a mirror of all that is good and beautiful. Can you wonder
that I blame him who so shamefully stained this pure soul
and the equally stainless purity of his own soul ? ”

“ How shall I prove my innocence to you P ” cried Bartja,
wringing his hands. “ If you loved me you would believe
my words ; if you cared for me — ”

“ My son, to save your life I forfeited mine but a few
minutes ago. When I learned that Cambyses had really
ordered your execution, I hastened to him, overwhelmed
him with entreaties, and when my prayers were unavailing,
I dared to reproach the irritated man bitterly. Then his
scanty stock of patience was exhausted. He raged and
bade the guards behead me. The chief whip-bearer
arrested me, but spared my life till to-morrow. He is in-
debted to me, and will be able to conceal the delay of the
execution. I am glad that I need not survive you, my sons,
and I will die innocent with you the guilty.”

These words aroused a new storm of contradiction.
Darius again remained calm and moderate among the
general confusion. He repeated the history of the evening,
and proved the impossibility of Bartja' s guilt. Then he
desired Bartja to speak. The youth rejected briefly every
idea of an understanding with Nitetis, and confirmed his
words with so solemn an oath that Croesus’ belief first
wavered, and finally began to yield. When Bartja had
finished, he embraced him, and breathed more freely, as
though a heavy load had been taken from him.

Though the friends strove to explain what had happened
they found their efforts unavailing. All were firmly con-
vinced that Nitetis loved Bartja, and had written the letter
to him with evil intentions.

“ Whoever,” cried Darius, “ saw her when Cambyses
told his friends that Bartja had chosen a wife cannot

CONDEMNED TO DEATH.

255

doubt her passion for him. When she dropped the cup I
heard Phsedime’s father say, the Egyptian women seemed
to feel great sympathy for the love affairs of their brothers-
in-law.’ ’

During this conversation the sun rose and shone brightly
into the prisoners’ apartment.

“ Mithra wants to make our parting hard,” murmured
Bart j a.

“hTo,” returned Croesus, “he is only lighting our way
to eternity.”

CHAPTER XX.

BOGES TRIUMPHANT.

N ITETIS, the innocent cause of all these melancholy
complications, had spent sad hours since the king’s
birthday feast. After those harsh words with which
Cambyses dismissed the poor girl when her inexplicable
behaviour had awakened his jealousy, she had not received
the least news of her angry lover, nor had his mother or
sister come to her. She had. spent every day since she
came to Babylon with Cassandane and Atossa. When
she wished to be taken to them to explain her strange
conduct, Candaules roughly forbade her to leave the
house. She thought that a voluntary recital of what she
had heard in her last letter from home would remove all
misunderstanding. She already saw Cambyses regretting
his violence and his foolish jealousy, and stretching out
bis hand in quest of forgiveness. At last her heart was
filled with joy when she thought of something she had
once heard Ibycus say : “ As a fever attacks a strong man
with greater force than a weak one, so jealousy brings
greater torments to a heart full of strong passion, than to
one which loves superficially.”

If the great judge of love was right, Cambyses, whose
jealousy had broken out with such sudden and terrible
force, must have felt a strong passion for her. Mingled
with this belief were sad thoughts of home and gloomy
forebodings, which she could not banish from her heart.
When the noonday sun burned hot in the sky, and she still
had no news of those she loved, she was seized with a feverish
restlessness which increased as night approached. Wh.en it
was dark, Boges came to her, and told her, with bitter scorn,
that Cambyses had her letter to Bart j a in his possession.

BOGES TRIUMPHANT.

257

and had given orders that the messenger who was to convey
it should be executed. The tortured nerves of the princess
were unable to bear this heavy blow. Before Boges left
her he carried her fainting to her bedroom, and bolted the
door carefully.

A few minutes later, two men, a youth and an old man,
came through the trap-door which Boges had carefully
examined two days before. The old man stopped close
against the wall of the house, while the youth, in obe-
dience to a signal from a window, sprang into the room.
Words of love, and the names G-aumata and Mandane
were whispered softly, and vows were exchanged. At last
the old man clapped his hands. The youth at once obeyed
the signal, embraced Nitetis’ maid once more, sprang
through the window into the garden, hurried past the
admirers of the blue lily, who were approaching, slipped
with his companion through the trap-door, closed it care-
fully, and vanished.

Mandane hastened to the room where her mistress usually
spent the evening. She was acquainted with her habits,
and knew that she was accustomed to sit every evening
when the stars rose, by the window facing the Euphrates,
and to gaze for hours at the river and the plain without
summoning her servants. She had therefore no reason
to fear discovery from this side, and could quietly await
her lover, conscious of the protection of the chief eunuch.

She had scarcely found her mistress, when the gardens
filled wi h people, and she heard confused voices of men and
eunuchs, and trumpets sounding to summon the warders.
At first she trembled at the thought that her lover might
have been discovered ; but when Boges appeared, 1 and
whispered to her: “He has escaped,” she ordered the
servants who entered hastily from the women’s rooms,
whither she had banished them on account of her meeting,
to carry their mistress to her bedroom, and mad© every
effort to restore her to consciousness. Nitetis had scarcely
opened her eyes, when Boges entered, followed by two
eunuchs, whom he commanded to load the delicate arms of
the maiden with chains.

Nitetis, incapable of speaking, suffered everything in
suence. She would not even answer when Boges called to

s

258

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

her, before he left the house : “ May you like your cage, my
imprisoned bird. The king is now being told that a
marten has been enjoying himself in his dovecot. Fare-
well, and think of poor tormented Boges, when the damp
earth cools you in this dreadful heat. Yes, my pigeon, in
death we know our true friends, and so I will not let them
bury you in a sack of coarse linen, but in a cloth of fine silk.
Farewell, my darling/ 1

Mtetis trembled at his words, and when Boges had
gone, she asked Mandane for an explanation of what had
taken place. The maid followed the eunuch’s advice, and
told her that Bartja had entered the gardens secretly, and
had been seen by several Achsemenidse in the act of entering
a window. Cambyses had been told of his brother’s
treachery, and the worst was to be feared from the king’s
jealousy. The thoughtless girl shed many tears of bitter
repentance during her story, which comforted her mis-
tress, who thought they were signs of true love and
sympathy.

When Mandane ceased speaking, Nitetis looked down on
her chains with despair, and a long time elapsed before
she grasped the horror of her situation. Then she re-read
her letter from home, wrote the words : “I am innocent,”
and bade her sobbing servant give both to the king’s
mother after her death ; she did not sleep all night. In
her ointment-box was a preparation for beautifying the
skin, which she knew caused death if taken in sufficient
quantity. She had this poison brought her, and resolved
with calm deliberation to kill herself when the executioner
approached. From that instant she looked forward to her
last hour, and said to herself : “ True he kills you, but he
kills you because he loves you.” Then she thought of
writing him a letter, in which she would confess to him the
whole depth of her passion. He was not to receive this
letter till after her death, so that he should not think she
had written it to save her life. The hope that the strong,,
inflexible man might perhaps drop tears on the letter, filled
her whole soul with pain and joy. In spite of her heavy-
chains she therefore wrote the following words: “Cam-
byses will receive this letter when I am dead. It is to tell
my lord that I love him better than the gods, than the

BOGES TRIUMPHANT.

259

world, than even my own young life. Cassandane and
Atossa must think kindly of me. My mother’s letter will
show them that I am innocent, and that I merely wished
to see Bart j a for the sake of my poor sister. Boges tells
me my death is decreed. When the executioner approaches
I shall end my life. I am sinning against myself to pre-
vent you, Cambyses, from committing a wicked deed.”

She gave this letter and that of her mother to weeping
Mandane, and asked her to give it to Cambyses after her
death.

Then she threw herself on her knees, and prayed to the
gods of her home, asking forgiveness for her apostasy.
When Mandane advised her to think of her weakness, and
to lie down, she replied : “ I need not sleep. I have but a
short time left to wake in.”

While she prayed and sang Egyptian hymns, her heart
turned with renewed fervour to the gods of her home
whom she had renounced after so short a time. Nearly all
the prayers she knew referred to life after death. In
Osiris’ realm in the NetherWorld, where the twelve judges
of the dead would decide on the merit of the soul, after it
had been tried in the balance by the goddess of truth and
the scribe of heaven, Thoth, she might hope to see her be-
loved ones again, if her body, the bearer of the soul, could
be preserved , 1 unless her soul could not justify itself, and
was obliged to begin its wanderings through the bodies
of animals. This “if” filled her with feverish anxiety.
Since her childhood the doctrine that the weal of the soul
was connected with the preservation of the body which re-
mained behind, had been impressed on her. She believed in
the dream which had raised the pyramids and hollowed out
rocks, and she trembled when she thought that, according

1 The dead received the use of all their limbs in the Nether World, if
they were preserved. Whatever was wanting to the body was wanting
to its copy, the shadow. The immortal soul of the Egyptian went after
his death to the Nether World, either to he justified, to become part
of the world soul in Osiris, and to enjoy bliss in the pure light of the
east, to sow well-watered fields in Anlu or Ala, and to reap without
trouble ; or else after horrible tortures to be driven out of the Nether
World and begin its wanderings through the bodies of animals. After
these journeys either it was allowed to unite with Osiris, or else it had
to begin the path of purification anew.

260

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

to Persian custom, her "body would be given up to dogs,
birds of prey, and other destroying forces, and the soul thus
deprived of every hope of a future life. Then the thought
struck her that she would again be false to her former
gods, and would kneel to the new spirits of life. They
gave the dead body back to the elements of which it con-
sisted, and only judged the soul of the deceased. When
she was about to raise her hands to the great sun which
had just vanquished the mists of the Euphrates valley with
its golden rays, when she was about to praise Mithra in
recently learnt hymns, her voice failed her, and she saw in
the star of day not Mithra, but great Ea, the god whom
she had so often praised in Egypt. Instead of the hymns
of the magi, she sang the song with which Egyptian priests
vere wont to greet the morning sun : —

“ Bend low before the greatest of all gods,

The child of heaven, bow to lofty Ra,

Who by his own strength generates himself,

Whom every morn beholdeth born anew.

Honour to thee who o’er the heavenly ocean
Takest thy way, granting fertility.

Thou hast created all things that exist,

As far as stretches the great vault of heaven,

Thou art the guardian whose mild gentle ray
Brings precious life to all whose hearts are pure.

Honour to thee. When through the heavenly vale
Thou takest through blue Helds thy path of light,

Then all the gods tremble at thy approach
With sweet delight, thou child of heaven, Ra ! ” 1

This song gave her perfect comfort. She thought of
her childhood, as with tearful eyes she gazed at the new
light whose rays did not yet dazzle her eyes. Then she
looked down on the plains. There flowed the Euphrates,
with yellow tinged waves, like the Nile. Numerous villages
peeped out from the luxuriant fields and fig-bushes, as in
her home. Towards the west, the royal park extended for
miles with tall cypresses and nut trees. The morning dew
gleamed on every leaf and blade ; and in the bushes of the
garden where she dwelt innumerable birds raised their
melodious voices. Now and then a soft breeze arose, wafted
sweet rose scent towards her, and played in the tops of

1 From an inscription on a tomb in the Berlin Museum,

BOGES TRIUMPHANT.

261

the slender, graceful palms which grew in great numbers
on the banks of the stream, and in all the fields around.
She had often admired these beautiful trees, and likened
them to dancers, when the storm caught their heavy tops,
and swayed their slender stems to and fro. How often she
had told herself that here must be the home of the Phoenix,
the bird from the land of the palms, who, according to the
priests, came every five hundred years to the temple of Pa
in Heliopolis, where he burnt himself in sacred flames of
incense, only to arise more beautiful than ever from his
ashes, and after three days to return to his eastern home.
While she thought of this bird, and longed to rise like him
from the ashes of misfortune to new and more beautiful
happiness, a great bird with shining plumage flew up
from the cypress which hid the house of him whom she
loved, and who had made her so unhappy, swung himself
high up into the air, and settled at last on a palm close by
her window. She had never seen a bird like this before ; and
it could be no common bird, for a golden chain hung from
his feet, and his tail was not of feathers, but, as she
thought, of sunbeams. It must be Bennu, 1 the bird of Ra.
She sank devoutly on her knees again, and sang the ancient
Phoenix song, while she kept her eyes fixed on the gleaming
inhabitant of the air : —

“ Far over the heads of mortals on high
My swift pinions bear me through the sk|

The mighty creator created me,

In my splendour his image all may see.

I am as lovely and fair to behold
As flowers that blossom in field and wold,

In the brightest of light my brightness is shown,

But my nature is secret, it may not be known,

For I know what will be and what has passed by,

Of Ra the immortal soul am I.” 2

The bird listened to the song with a bright, inquisitive
look, while he jerked his tiny head, ornamented with flow-
ing feathers, from side to side. When it was finished, he
flew away. Pitetis looked with glad eyes after the sup-
posed Phoenix, a bird of paradise, which had broken the

1 The ancient Egyptian name for the phoenix.

2 From the 83rd chapter of the Book of the Dead.

262

A.N EGYPTIAN PRXNCESa

chain that confined him in the park. A strange con-
viction that she would he saved filled her heart, for she
thought god Ea had sent her the "bird, whose form she was
to assume as a blessed spirit. As long as we wish and
hope, we can bear many misfortunes ; if happiness <ioes not
come, expectation lingers, and with it the sweetness which
belongs to it. This mood suffices, and contains a kind of
enjoyment which can take the place of reality.

Nitetis lay down exhausted on a divan, and against her
will fell into a deep, dreamless sleep, without having
touched the poison.

The rising sun brings comfort to those unhappy beings
who have passed the night in weeping, while the pure light
is an unwelcome apparition to guilty souls who seek dark-
ness. "While Nitetis slept, Mandane watched, tormented
by frightful pangs of conscience. How gladly she would
have kept back the sun, which was to herald the death of
her most gracious mistress, through her fault, and she
would have liked to live henceforth in perpetual night, if
she had thus been able to recall yesterday's deed.

The kind, but thoughtless girl repeatedly called her-
self a shameful murderess. A hundred times she resolved
to confess all, and save Nitetis ; but each time fear and
love of life conquered the good impulse of her heart. She
was certain of death if she confessed, and she felt so fit to
live ; she shuddered at the thought of the grave ; she hoped
so much from the future. If she had anticipated perpetual
imprisonment, she would, perhaps, have revealed the whole
truth ; but she could not die, and would a confession save
the condemned ? Had she not herself been commissioned
to send Bartja a message through the hapless gardener ?
This mysterious correspondence had been discovered.
Nitetis would, therefore, probably have been lost without
her assistance. We are never cleverer than when we want
to excuse to ourselves a fault we have committed.

When the sun rose, Mandane knelt, weeping, by her
mistress' couch. She wept bitterly, and could not under-
stand how Nitetis could sleep so peacefully.

Boges, the eunuch, had also passed a sleepless night.
Hxs representative and fellow- official, Candaules, whom
he hated, had been executed by the king’s commands.

BOGES TRIUMPHANT.

263

for his negligence and probable corruption. Nitetis was
not only overthrown, to rise again at a future time, but
she was condemned to a shameful death, which would
make her harmless for ever. The influence of the king's
mother had been rudely shaken, and, to conclude, he was
flattered by the consciousness of his own superiority, and
the skilful manner in which he had executed his difficult
task, as much as by the hope that he would soon see his
favourite, Phaedime, once more the special favourite of the
king. The sentence of death pronounced against Croesus
and the young heroes was also opportune, for, if they
lived, it was not unlikely that his intrigues might be
discovered.

It was dawn when he left the king's chamber to go
to Phaedime. The proud Persian had not gone to rest.
She awaited the eunuch with feverish impatience, for
rumours of what had happened had already reached the
harem.

She lay on the purple divan of her dressing-room, clad
in a light silk garment, and yellow slippers covered with
turquoises and pearls, and surrounded by twenty servants.
As soon as she heard Boges approach, she sent away the
slaves, sprang up, ran towards him, and overwhelmed him
with a flood of disconnected questions, referring to her
enemy, Nitetis.

" G-ently, my dove," said Boges, laying his fleshy hand
on her shoulder. “ Gently. If you cannot force yourself
to listen to my report in perfect silence, without asking
questions, you shall not hear a single word to-day. Yes,
my golden queen, I have so much to tell you that it would
take me -till to-morrow, if you interrupted me when you
pleased. Ah, my lamb, I have still much to do to-day.
First, I must be present at an Egyptian's donkey-ride;
secondly, at an Egyptian’s execution. But I anticipate,
and will begin from the beginning. You may weep, laugh,
cry, as much as you like, with joy ; but you are forbidden
to question me till I have finished. I have, indeed,
deserved these embraces. There, now, I am comfortable,
and can begin. There was once a great king in Persia who
had many wives, of whom he loved and distinguished
Phaedime most of all. Then one day it pleased him to woo

264

AST EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

the daughter of Amasis of Egypt. He, therefore, sent a
great embassy, "with his own brothor as suitor, to Sais.”

“ Nonsense,” cried Phasdime, impatiently ; “ I want to
know what has happened to-day.”

“ Patience, patience, impetuous wind of Ader ! If you
interrupt me again, I shall go and tell my story to the
trees. Do not grudge me the pleasure of hying through
my success again. While I tell it, I feel as happy as a
sculptor who has put his chisel away, and loots at the work
he has just completed — ”

“No, no,” cried Phsedime again; “I cannot listen now
to what I knew long ago. I shall die with impatience. I
have waited for hours in feverish restlessness. Every new
rumour that the servants and eunuchs hastened to bring me
has increased my impatience. I am in a fever, and cannot
wait longer. Ask of me what you will, but free me from
this dreadful anxiety. Afterwards, if you like, I will
listen to you for days.”

Boges smiled contentedly and said, rubbing his hands :
" Already as a child, I knew no greater pleasure than to
watch a fish dangling on the hook. Now you, the loveliest
of golden carp, hang on my line, and I cannot let you go
till I have enjoyed your impatience.”

Phaedime sprang up from the couch which, till then, she
had shared with the eunuch, stamped her feet, and behaved
like a naughty child. This behaviour seemed to please
the eunuch greatly, for he rubbed his hands more gaily,
laughed till the tears rolled down his cheeks, and emptied
several cups of wine to the health of the irritated beauty
before he began his narrative.

“ It had not escaped me that Cambyses sent his brother
Bartja, who had brought the Egyptian hither, against the
Tapuri from motives of jealousy alone. The proud woman,
whom I was not to command, seemed to care as little for
the beautiful, fair-haired youth as a Jew for pork, or an
Egyptian for beans , 1 but I resolved to increase the king’s
jealousy, and thus make the insolent woman harmless,
who seemed to succeed in ousting us from the king’s
favour. I long sought in vain for a suitable plan.

1 The Egyptians were forbidden to eat beans.

BOGES TRIUMrJIAXT.

265

“When at last the New Year’s feast arrived, all the
priests of the realm assembled at Babylon. For eight
days the town was full of joy, feasting, and drinking. At
court, too, there was high festival, and I had little time to
think of my plan. Then the gracious Amesha Qpenta
sent me, just when I least hoped for success, a youth
whom Angramainjus himself seemed to have created for
my plans. G-aumata, brother of Oropastes, came to Baby-
lon to be present at the great New Year’s festival. When
I saw the youth for the first time at his brother’s house,
whither the king had sent me, I thought I saw a ghost,
for he is the image of Bartja. After I had finished my
business with Oropastes, the boy accompanied me to my
carriage. I did not show my astonishment, overwhelmed
him with kindness, and asked him to visit me. He came
the same evening. I had the best wine brought, forced
him to drink, and again found that the best quality of the
grape-juice is its power to make even the most silent
gossip. The youth informed me, when he was excited by
the wine, that he had not come to Babylon for the sacrifice
alone, but for the sake of a girl who was the chief servant
of the Egyptian. He had loved he* y , he told me, from child-
hood, but his ambitious brother had higher aims for him,
and in order to part him from fair Mandane, he had
obtained for her a situation about the person of the king’s
new wife. Finally, he begged me to arrange an interview
between him and his love. I listened kindly, but sug-
gested difficulties, and finally asked him to come to me
again the next day. He came. I said that something
might be done if he would obey my orders blindly. He
willingly agreed, went back to Rhagse at my bidding, and
the day before yesterday returned secretly to Babylon,
where I kept him concealed in my house. Bartja had,
meanwhile, returned. It now became necessary to rouse
the king’s jealousy, and crush the Egyptian with one
blow. By means of your humiliation I awakened your
relations’ anger against our foe, and prepared everything
for my enterprise. Fate seemed to favour me particularly.
You know how Nitetis behaved during the birthday feast,
but you do not know that the same evening she sent a
gardener into the palace with a letter to Bartja. The

266

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

unskilful messenger was discovered, and executed tlie same
evening by command of the king, who was furious. I took
care that Mtetis was cut off from communication with her
friends, as though she dwelt in the nest of the Simtirg . 1
You know the rest.”

“ How did G-aumata escape ? ”

“ Through a trap-door known to me alone, which was
kept open for the fugitives. All went well. I had even
succeeded in obtaining a dagger of Bartja’s, which he had
lost during the chase, and which I laid under Nitetis*
window. To keep the prince away, and prevent him from
meeting the king, or other important witnesses during
these events, I asked a Greek merchant, Colaeus, who is at
present selling Milesian cloth in Babylon, and who is ready
to do anything for me, because I take all the woollen
materials we need for the harem from him, to write me a
letter in Greek which should invite Bart j a in the name of
his love — she is called Sappho — to go quite alone, at the
rising of the Tistar star, to the first station-house before
the Euphrates gate. The letter was a failure, for the
messenger who was to bring it to him executed his com-
mission unskilfully. True, he swore that he had given it
to Bartja himself, but there is no doubt that he gave it
to a stranger, probably Gaumata. I was somewhat alarmed
when I heard that Bartja had spent the evening in drink-
ing with his friends. But what was done could not be
undone, and witnesses like your father, Hystaspes, Croesus,
and Intaphernes, outweighed the evidence of Darius,
Araspes, and Gyges. On one side witnesses against, on
the other witnesses for the friend. But everything ended
well. The young men have been condemned, and Croesus,
who ventured, as usual, to address the king insolently, has
already spent his last hour on earth. The chief scribe has
just had to draw up the following document regarding the
Egyptian. Listen, my dove, and rejoice!

“ * The adulteress, Hitetis, daughter of the king of Egypt,
is to be punished for her evil deeds with all the severity of
the law, as follows : She shall be placed astride on an ass
and led through all the streets of Babylon, so that the

The fabulous bird of Persia, See Firdusi, “ Book of Kings . 1

BOGES TRIUMPHANT.

267

people in tlie town may see that Camhyses punishes a
king’s dangliter as severely as his judges punish the
meanest beggar-woman. When the sun has set the shame-
less woman is to be buried alive. The execution of this
sentence is entrusted to the chief eunuch, Boges. The chief
scribe, Ariabignes, by order of King Cambyses/

“ Scarcely had I placed these lines in my sleeve, when
the king’s mother, led by Atossa, forced her way into the
hall in torn garments. Then followed weeping and wail-
ing, reproaches, curses, and entreaties, but the king re-
mained firm, and I believe Cassandane and Atossa would
have followed Croesus and Bartja to another world if the
fear of his father’s soul had not kept the infuriated king
from laying hands on Cyrus’ widow. But Cassandane
said nothing in favour of Nitetis. She seems as firmly
convinced of her guilt as you or I. We need not fear
G-aumata any more. I have hired three men, who, before
he reaches Khagse, will provide him with a cool bath in the
Euphrates. The fish and worms will have merry days.
Ha, ha, ha ! ”

Phsedime joined in his laughter, overwhelmed the eunuch
with flattering names, which she had learnt from him, and
with her full arms hung round his neck a heavy chain
resplendent with jewels as a token of her gratitude*

CHAPTEE XXL

A. NEW WITNESS.

T HE news of what had happened, and of what was to "be
expected was known all over Babylon before the snn
reached its zenith. The streets were crowded with people,
who impatiently awaited the rare spectacle which the punish-
ment of the king’s false wife afforded them. The whip-
bearers had to exert their full authority to keep back the
crowds of spectators. When, later on, the rumour of the
approaching execution of Bart] a and his friends was heard,
the joy of the people, who were still intoxicated with the
palm wine which had been generously distributed on the
king’s birthday and the following days, and could not be
controlled, assumed another form. Tipsy men joined to-
gether and went through the streets, shouting : “ Bart j a, the
good son of Cyrus, is to he killed.” The women heard the
words in their quiet apartments, escaped from their guards,
and forgetting their accustomed veils, hastened weeping
into the open air to follow the excited men. The joy of
seeing a particularly fortunate sister humbled, vanished at
the grief caused by the approaching execution of the be-
loved youth. Men, women, and children raged, shrieked,
swore, and incited each other to still greater violence and
fury. All the workshops were empty, the merchants closed
their shops, the schoolboys and servants, who had obtained
a week’s holiday in honour of the royal birthday, used
their freedom to shout loudest of all, often without know-
ing why.

At last the tumult became so great that the whip bearers
no longer sufficed to restore order, and a division of the
body-guards was obliged to clear the streets. As soon as

A NEW WITNESS.

269

the shining armour and long lances appeared, the people
drew back, and entered the side streets, only to assemble
in fresh crowds when the soldiers had passed.

At the gate of Bel, as it was called, where the high road
began which led to the west, the crowd was greatest, for it
was said the Egyptian would be led in disgrace out of this,
gate, through which she had entered Babylon. A specially
large number of whip-bearers was therefore assembled at this
spot, whose duty it was to clear the way for the travellers
who wished to pass through the gate/ Eew went out of
the town that day. Curiosity was stronger than the stress
of business, or the desire to go out. Nearly all those who
came from without stayed by the gate when they heard
what was to be seen, from the crowds assembled there.

The sun was already high in the heavens, and but a few
hours must elapse before the time appointed for Nitetis*
ride, when a caravan approached the town in great
haste. Eirst came a, harmamaxa, which was drawn
by four horses, then a two-wheeled cart, and finally a
waggon drawn by mules. In the first vehicle sat a hand-
some, stately man of about fifty, in Persian court dress, and
an old man in long white garments, while several slaves in
simple tunics, with broad brimmed felt hats on their
short hair, sat in the cart. Beside it rode an elderly man
in the dres^ of a Persian servant. The driver of the first
carriage had great difficulty in making a way for his horses,
which were covered with tassels and bells, through the
dense crowd. He was obliged to stop close by the gate,
and to summon a few whip-bearers. “ Make way for us,” he
cried to a captain of the guards who approached the car-
riage. “The royal mail has no time to lose, and I am
driving a distinguished man, who will make you suffer for
every minute's delay.”

“ G-ently, my son,” returned the captain. “ You see it
is easier to leave Babylon than to enter it to-day. Whom
are you driving ? ”

“ A distinguished man who has a free pass from the
long. Quick, make way for us ! ”

“ Well, the suite does not look royal.”

** What is that to you. The pass — ”

“ I must see it before I let you enter the town.” He

270

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

addressed these words, half to the travellers at whom he
looted with attention and suspicion, half to the driver.

While the man in Persian dress sought his pass in the
sleeves of his garment, the whip-hearer turned to a comrade
who approached, and said: “ Did you ever see such a
strange procession P My name is not Giv if there is not
something remarkable about these people. Why, the lowest
carpet-layer of the king travels with four times as great a
retinue as this man, who has a pass, and wears the dress of
a companion of the table.’ *

The suspected man held towards him a roll of silk,
smelling of musk, on which were visible the king’s seal and
a few characters.

The whip-bearer seized it and examined the seal. “ It is
genuine,” he murmured. Then he began to look at the
letters. He had scarcely deciphered the first of them when
he looked keenly at the traveller, and crying out : “ Here,
men, surround the carriage, this man is an impostor,” he
seized the horses’ reins.

When he had convinced himself that escape was impos-
sible, he approached the stranger again and said : “ You
have a free pass that does not belong to you. Gyges,. son
of Croesus, whom you pretend to be, is in prison, and is to
be executed to-day. You do not resemble him in the least,
and will repent of having pretended to be Croesus’ son.
Get out and follow me.”

The traveller did not obey this order, but asked the cap-
tain, in broken Persian, to enter his carriage, because he
had something of importance to confide to him. The offi-
cial hesitated a minute, but when he saw that a new crowd
of whip-bearers approached, he signed to them to wait in
front of the horses, which were stamping with impatience,
and entered the harmamaxa.

The stranger looked at the captain with a smile, and
asked : “ Do I look like an impostor ? ”

“ Ho, for though your speech proves that you are no
Persian, you look like a noble l ”

“lama Greek noble, and came hither to do Cambyses
a great service. The free pass of Gyges, who is my friend,
was lent me by him when he was in Egypt, in case I should
come to Persia. I am ready to justify myself to the king,

A NEW WITNESS.

27J

and have nothing to fear ; on the contrary, I expect great
favour in return for the news I bring. If your duty demands
it let me be taken at once to Croesus, he will be surety for
me, and send you bach your men whom you seem to be
in want of to-day. Divide these pieces of gold among
them, and tell me at once what my poor friend G-yges
has done, and what this crowd of people and this tumult
mean.

The stranger spolce, it is true, in bad Persian, but with
such dignity and confidence, his gift, too, was so munificent,
that the servant of a despot, used to submission, thought
he sat opposite a prince. He respectfully crossed his arms,
and with an apologetic reference to his manifold duties,
began rapidly to give an account of what had happened.
He had been on guard the previous night in the great hall
during the trial, and was able to tell the stranger with
comparative accuracy what had taken place. The Greek
listened to him with great attention, and often shook his
head incredulously, especially when mention was made of
the faithlessness of Amasis’ daughter, and Cyrus’ son.
The sentences which had been pronounced, especially that
of Croesus, seemed to move him greatly, but his sympathy
quickly vanished from his face, and was replaced first by a
meditative look, then by one of pleasure, which showed
that his thoughts were crowned with success. Suddenly
his grave dignity vanished. He laughed gladly, struck his
brow joyously, seized the left hand of the astonished captain,
pressed it, and asked him :

“ Would you he glad if Bart j a were saved ? ”

“Inexpressibly glad.”

“Well, then, I pledge my word that yon shall receive at
least two talents, if you make it possible for me to see the
king before the first sentence is executed.”

“ But how can I, a poor captain — ”

“ You must, you must ! ”

“I cannot.”

“ I know it is difficult, well nigh impossible for a stranger
to have an interview with the king, bnt my news brooks
no delay, for I can prove the innocence of Bartja and his
friends. Do yon hear ? I can do that. Do you see now
that yon must obtain admittance for me?”

272

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

“ How is it possible ? ”

“ Do not ask. Act. Did you not say Darius was
among the condemned? ”

“Yes.”

“ I hear his father is greatly respected ? ”

“ He is the first man in the kingdom after the children
of Cyrus.”

“ Then lead me to him at once. He will receive me well
when he hears that I can save his son.”

“ Wonderful stranger, there is such confidence in your
words that I — ”

“ That you may believe me. Quick, quick, get people
to make way through the crowd and take us to the
palace.”

With the exception of doubt, nothing is more quickly
imparted than the hope that a longed-for wish will be ful-
filled, especially when that hope is brought us by a man
full of confidence.

The captain of the whip-bearers believed the strange
traveller, and, swinging his whip, sprang from the carriage,
crying : “ This noble man has come to prove Bartja’s inno-
cence, and must be taken to the king at once. Follow me,
friends, and clear the way for him ! At this moment some of
the mounted body-guard appeared. The captain hastened
to their commander, and asked him, supported by the
acclamations of the populace, to accompany the stranger to
the palace.

Meanwhile the traveller sprang on the servant’s horse,
and followed the Persians, who cleared the way for him.
Swift as the wind, the hopeful news flew through the great
town. As the riders advanced, the crowd opened before
them more readily, and the joy of the people increased,
till the stranger’s ride resembled a triumphal procession.

After a few minutes, the riders stopped before the
palace. The bronzed gates had not yet opened when a
second procession appeared, at whose head old Hystapes,
in torn brown mourning garments, rode slowly on a horse
which was dyed blue, and whose tail and mane were shorn
off. He had come to ask the king to pardon his son. The
captain of the whip-bearers no sooner caught sight of the
noble than he uttered a cry of joy, prostrated himself

A NEW WITNESS.

273

before bis borse, and told him with crossed arms of the
bope tbe stranger bad awakened.

Hystaspes signed to tbe traveller, wbo gracefully bent
before him, and confirmed tbe whip-bearer’ s statement.
He, too, gained new confidence from that moment, asked
tbe stranger to follow him, led him to tbe palace, and
desired tbe chief staff-bearer to lead him to tbe king, while
he bade tbe Greek wait at the door of tbe king’s apart-
ments.

When bis aged relative entered the room, Cambyses, pale
as death, lay on bis purple divan. At bis feet knelt a cup-
bearer, wbo tried to gather up the fragments of a costly
Egyptian glass which tbe king bad impatiently thrown
down, because tbe draught did not please him. A number
of court officials surrounded tbe irritated ruler at some
distance. It was evident that each feared tbe king’s anger,
and wished to withdraw as far as possible from him. Per-
fect silence reigned in tbe great room, through the open
windows of which the dazzling light and oppressive heat of
tbe Babylonian May day entered. A large bound, of noble
Epirotic breed, alone dared to interrupt tbe deep silence
with bowls of lamentation. Cambyses had repulsed the
fawning animal with a powerful kick. Before the staff-
bearer led in Hystaspes, the king sprang from his couch.
He could no longer bear tbe idleness ; bis anger and
grief threatened to stifle him. The dog’s howling quickly
aroused a new idea in his tortured brain, which craved
for oblivion.

“ To the chase ! ” he cried, rising, to the startled
courtiers.

The chief huntsmen, tbe equerries, and tbe chief
guardian of tbe kennels hastened to obey their master’s
order. He called to them : “I will mount the unbroken
borse, Reksh. 1 Prepare the falcons. Loosen all the dogs.
Summon everyone who knows how to use a spear. We
will clear the park.”

As though these words had quite exhausted his powerful
frame, he again lay down on the divan. He did not notice

1 The horse of the famous hero Rustem bore this name, which meam
lightning.

T

274

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

Hystaspes, who had entered, for hi$ gloomy glance in-
cessantly followed the motes which danced gaily in the
light that entered the window.

Darius* father dared not address the irritated king ; he
placed himself in front of the window, parted the beam,
and thus attracted the king’s attention.

Cambyses looked at him and his torn garments, at first
in anger, then with a bitter smile, and asked : “ "What do
you want? Why do you throw yourself on your knees ? ”
“ Victory to the king I Your poor servant and uncle has
come to appeal to the king’s mercy.”

“ Rise, and go. You know I have no mercy for perjurers
and false witnesses. It is better to have a dead than a
dishonoured son.”

But if Bart j a should be innocent ; if Darius — ”

“ You dare dispute my sentence ? ”

“ That is far from me. WThat the king does is good, and
may not be criticised ; but — ”

“ Silence. I will not have these evil deeds touched on
again. You are to be pitied as a father ; but these last
days have brought me no happiness. I pity you, old man;
but I cannot repeal your son’s sentence any more than you
can recall his crime.”

“ But if Bartja were innocent ; if the gods — ”

“Do you think the gods will assist cheats and per-
jurers ? ”

“Ho, my king; but a new witness has appeared,
who—”

“ A new witness ! I would gladly give half my king-
dom, if I could convince myself of the innocence of these
men, who are so closely connected with my house.”

“ Victory to my lord, the eye of the realm ! Without,
there waits a Greek who, to judge from his appearance and
demeanour, must be one of the noblest of his race. He
declares that he can prove Bartja’ s innocence.”

The king laughed bitterly, and cried : “ A Greek ! Per-
haps a relation of the fair maid whom Bartja loved so faith-
fully ! What does this stranger pretend to know of the
affairs of my house ? But I know these Greek beggars.
Insolent and shameless, they interfere in everything, and
think they can deceive by their cunning and their in-

A NEW WITNESS.

275

trigues. How much did you pay for this Greek witness,
my uncle ? The lips of the Greeks utter lies as easily as
the magi pronounce blessings. I know very well that foi
gold they may be got to do anything. I am curious to see
your witness. Call him. If he wishes to lie to me he had
better remain where he is, and remember that where the
head of a son of Cyrus falls, the heads of a thousand
Greeks are of no consequence.” At these words the king’s
eyes flashed angrily; but Hystaspes let the Greek be
summoned.

Before he entered the hall, the staff-bearers bound a
cloth round his mouth, and bade him prostrate himself
before the king. With noble grace the Greek advanced
towards the king, who was looking at him keenly, threw
himself down before him, and kissed the earth in the
Persian fashion.

The graceful carriage and handsome form of the stranger,
who had borne his glance calmly and respectfully, seemed
to please the king, for he did not let him remain long on
the ground, and asked him, in no unfriendly tone : “ Who
are you ? ”

“ I am a Greek noble. My name is Phanes ; my home,
Athens. For ten years I served, not without distinction,
as chief commander of Amasis 5 Greek mercenaries.”

“ Are you he to whose skilful leadership the Egyptians
owed tlieir victory in Cyprus P ”

“ I am he.”

“What brings you to Persia? ”

“The glory of your name, Cambyses, and the desire
to dedicate my sword to your service.”

“ Nothing else ? Be candid, and remember that a single
lie may cost you your life. We Persians have other ideas
of truth than you Greeks.”

“ I too detest falsehood, if for no other reason than that
it seems to me unbeautiful, a distortion of what is natural,
that is, of what is true.”

“ Then speak.”

“It is true that a third thing brought me to Persia
which I should like to tell you another time. It refers to
something of great importance ; but we need much time
to discuss it. To-day — ”

276

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

“ To-day I would like to hear something new. Ac-
company me to the chase. Ton came most opportunely.
Never did I need a distraction more than now.”

“ I will gladly accompany yon, if yon — ”

“ The king submits to no conditions. Are yon skilled
m hunting ? ”

“I have killed many Hons with my own hands in the
Libyan desert.”

“ Then come and follow me.”

The king seemed to have shaken off his languor at the
thought of the chase, and was about to leave the hall,
when Hystaspes threw himself at his feet again, and cried
with upraised hands : “ Shall my son, shall your brother,
die innocent ? By the soul of your father, who was wont
to call me his most faithful friend, I conjure you to listen
to this noble stranger.”

Cambyses stopped. His brow contracted again, his
voice sounded threatening, when he turned to the Greek,
and stretching out his hand towards him, cried : “ Say
what you know, but remember that with every false word
you utter, you pronounce your own death-warrant ! ”

Phanes listened calmly, and bowing gracefully, said:
“ Nothing can remain hidden from the sun and my king.
How should a poor mortal be able to conceal the truth from
such mighty powers P Noble Hystaspes says I can cer-
tainly prove your brother’s innocence ; but I can only hope
and desire that I may accomplish this great and glorious
deed. At all events, the gods allowed me to find a clue,
which seems calculated to throw a new light on yesterday’s
events. Judge for yourself whether my hope is pre-
sumptuous — whether I have too quickly suspected, but
bear in mind that my desire to serve you was sincere,
and my mistake, if I was deceived, pardonable. Remember
that there is nothing certain m the world, and that every-
one calls that infallible which he considers most true.”

“ You speak well, and your words remind me of — .
Speak, and be brief. The dogs bark in the court.”

” I was still in Egypt when your embassy came thither
to fetch Nitetis to Persia. In the house of my excellent
and well-known countrywoman and friend, Rhodopis, I
became acquainted with Crcesus and his son, but I saw

A NEW WITNESS.

277

your brother and his friends only occasionally. In spite
of this I distinctly remembered the beautiful face of the
royal youth, for when I later on visited the studio of the
great artist, Theodorus, at Samos, I recognized his face.”

“ Did you meet him at Samos ? ”

“No! Theodorus had adorned the head of a sun-god,
which the Alcmseonidae had ordered from him for the new
temple at Delphi, with your brother’s features, which were
faithfully stamped on his memory. 5 1

“ Your story begins somewhat improbably. How is it
possible to make a faithful likeness of a face which is not
before your eyes ? 5 5

“ Theodorus has accomplished this masterpiece, and if
you wish to test his skill, he will gladly make you a second
statue.”

“ I do not desire it. Proceed ! ”

“ On my journey hither, which, thanks to your father’s
excellent arrangements, I accomplished in an incredibly
short time, changing horses at every station — 5 5

“ Who allowed you, a stranger, to use the post-
horses ? ”

“ The pass of the son of Croesus, which by chance came
into my possession when G-yges, in order to save my life,
forced me to change clothes with him. 5 5

“ A Lydian can deceive a fox, a Syrian a Lydian, and an
Ionian both,” murmured the king, and smiled for the first
time. 44 Croesus told me about it. Poor Croesus ! ” At
these words his face darkened again, and his hand strove
to smooth the lines from his brow, while the Athenian
continued: “I journeyed without hindrance, till this
morning, in the first hour after midnight, when I was de-
tained by a singular event.”

The king listened more attentively, and bade the Athe-
nian, who spoke Persian with difficulty, be quick.

“We were,” he continued, “approaching the last station
before Babylon, and hoped to reach the town at sunrise.
I thought of my restless past, and my soul was filled with
grief and disturbed by the memory of unavenged wrongs.
I could not sleep, but the old Egyptian at my side, lulled
by the monotonous sound of the bells on the horses’
bridles, the even tread of the horses, and the murmuring

•278

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

waves of the Euphrates, slumbered peacefully. The night
was remarkably beautiful and calm. The moon lighted
the path, and with the stars made the sleeping country
almost as light as day. No carriages, no travellers, no
rider had met us for an hour. The whole population
of the environs of Babylon, we were told, had gone to
the town to celebrate your birthday, admire the splen-
dour of your court, and enjoy your munificence. At last
I heard the irregular tread of horses and the ringing of
bells. A few minutes later I distinctly heard cries for
help. Quickly resolved, I forced the Persian servant, who
accompanied me on horseback, to dismount. I sprang
into the saddle, ordered the driver of the cart in which the
slaves sat, not to spare his mules, loosened my dagger and
my sword, and spurred on my horse in the direction of
the cries, which grew louder and louder. I had not ridden
a minute before I witnessed a horrible scene. Three wild-
looking fellows tore a youth in the white dress of the magi
from his horse, stunned him with blows, and were about
to throw him into the Euphrates, which here washes the
roots of the palms and the fig-trees on the edge of the high-
road. Quick as thought I uttered my Greek battle-ery,
which has already made many a foe tremble, and rushed
at the assassins, who, cowards like all of their kind, fled as
soon as they saw one of their accomplices fall with a
broken skull. I let the wretches go, and bent over the
wounded man. Who can describe my horror when I
thought I recognized in him your brother Bart j a. Yes,
those were the same features I had seen at Naucratis and
in Theodoras’ studio, those were — ”

“ Wonderful ! ” interrupted Hystaspes.

“ Perhaps too wonderful to be believed,” added Cam-
byses. “ Take care, Greek, and remember my arm reaches
far. I shall test the truth of your story.”

“ I am accustomed,” said the Athenian, bowing low, “ to
follow the teaching of wise Pythagoras, whose fame has
perhaps reached you, and before I speak always, to consider
whether in the future I shall not repent of what I say.”

“That sounds very fine and wise, but, by Mithra, I
knew a being who often had the name of that teacher on
her lips, and in her acts proved herself a true pupil of

280

AN EGYPTIAN PEINCESS.

fetched from the medicine- chest, without which an Egyp-
tian is unwilling to leave his home, a draught, which he
gave the sufferer. The drops had a wonderful effect, and in
a few hours the fever had abated, and when the sun rose
again the youth opened his eyes. We saluted him as your
brother, and asked if he wished to be taken to the palace
at Babylon. He refused excitedly, and answered that he
was not the man we thought, but — ”

44 Who can resemble Bart j a so closely? I am anxious to
bear,” interrupted the king.

“ He declared that he was the brother of your chief priest
and was called G-aumata, and that we should find his
name on the pass which was in the sleeve of his dress.
The host of the inn found the document mentioned, and as
he could read, confirmed the words of the sick man, who
was soon attacked by fever again, in which he made all
kinds of disconnected speeches.”

44 Bid you understand them ? ”

44 Yes. He always repeated the same things. The
hanging gardens seemed to occupy his thoughts. He must
just have escaped a great danger, and seemed to have had
a meeting wiik a woman called Mandane.”

“ Mandane,” m. lrmiir ed Cambyses, 44 Mandane. If I
am not mistaken, tin. first servant of Amasis’ daughter
bears this name.”

These words did not esca^ ^he Athenian’s sharp ears.
He reflected a moment in silence, 4.-^^ ] ie smiled and cried :

44 Free the prisoners, my king. I wji s t a k e m y head that
Bart j a was not in the hanging gardens;*

The Mng listened with surprise, but ^ was not ^
pleased with the bold speaker. The nnconst..- Jle ^ grace,
ful bearing of the Athenian towards him w*.. to
him, and was like a breath of sea air when a XIa ‘- feels
it on his brow for the first time. His nobles, and
his nearest relations, dared only address him with beu
head, but the Greek stood upright before him; the
Persians were accustomed to accompany every word ad-
dressed to their ruler with flowery phrase and flattering
speech ; the Athenian spoke simply, freely, and accom-
panied his speech with such graceful gestures and ex-
pressive looks that, in spite of bis want of fluency , the

A NEW WITNESS.

281

king understood his words better than the most elaborate
report of his own subjects. This stranger and Hitetis
alone made him forget that he was a king. Here man
stood before man, here the proud despot forgot that he
spoke to one whose life and death depended on his
caprice. The stern ruler was influenced greatly by the
dignity of the man, by the feeling that before him stood
one who was conscious of his right to liberty, and who was
of superior culture. There was another thing which won
Cambyses quickly. The Athenian appeared to hare arrived
in order to restore to him his best-beloved treasure, which
seemed lost, and worse than lost. But how could the life
of this foreign adventurer be taken as a pledge for the sons
of the first Persians ? Phanes’ proposal did not, however,
anger the king. He smiled at the boldness of the G-reek,
who in his eagerness had freed himself from the cloth which
covered his mouth and beard, and cried: “By Mithra,
G-reek, it seems you want to bring us good. I accept your
proposal. But if, in spite of your conjecture, the prisoners
are guilty, you will have to live at court as my servant
all your life, if you are really able to prove what my
heart desires, then I will make you the richest of your
people.”

Phanes smiled and asked : “ Will you allow me to put a
few questions to you and to your court officials P ”

“ Speak, and ask what and how you like.”

At this moment the chief huntsman entered the hall, and
announced that all was ready for the chase.

“Wait!” shouted the king to the nobleman, who was
breathless with his eagerness to hasten all preparations.
“I do not know if we shall hunt to-day. Where is
Bishen, the chief whip-bearer ? ”

Datis, the eye of the king as he was called, who accord-
ing to modern ideas filled the office of head of the police,
hastened from the room, and returned in a few minutes with
Bishen. Phanes had meanwhile asked the nobles about
certain details of importance to him. ,

“What are the prisoners doing?” asked Cambyses of
the captain, who lay prostrate before him.

. u Victory to the king ! They await death calmly, for it
is sweet to die by your will.”

282

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS,

“ Did you hear their conversation ? ”

“ Yes, my lord.”

“ Did they confess their guilt to each other ? ”

“ Mithra alone can see into the heart; but you, my lord,
would, like me, your poorest slave, believe in the innocence
of these men, if you could hear them speak.”

The captain looked up anxiously at the king, for he feared
that these words would rouse his anger; but Cambyses
smiled graciously, instead of being angry. Suddenly a sad
thought clouded his face, and he asked, almost inaudibly :
“ When was Croesus executed ? ”

The captain trembled at these words ; the perspiration
stood on his brow, and his lips could scarcely murmur :
“ He is — He has — We thought — ”

“ What did you think?” asked the king, in whose breast
a new hope dawned. “ Did you not carry out my orders at
once ? Is Croesus still among the living ? Speak, speak ! I
will know the whole truth.”

The captain grovelled at his ruler’s feet like a worm, and
at last stammered, stretching his hand towards him :
“ Mercy, mercy; I am a poor man, and have thirty children,
of whom fifteen — ”

“I wish to know whether Croesus lives.”

“ He lives. I thought I was not doing wrong if I let
him, to whom I owe all, live another hour, so that he — ”

“ It is enough,” cried the king, drawing a deep breath.
“ This time your disobedience shall not be punished ; and,
because you have so many children, my treasurer shall
give you two talents. Now go to the prisoners, and send
Croesus hither. Tell the others to be of good cheer, if they
are innocent.”

“ My king is the light of the world, and an ocean of
mercy ! ”

“Bartja and his friends are no longer to be locked up.
They may go into the palace court, guarded by you. Datis,
go at once to the hanging gardens, and order Boges to
delay the execution of the Egyptian’s sentence. Then
send to the station-house named by the Athenian, and
bring the wounded man hither under safe escort.”

Datis was about to leave, but Phanes detained him, and
asked : “ Will my lord allow me to make one remark ? ”

A NEW WITNESS.

283

“Speak”

“ It seems to me the chief eunuch could give us the best
explanation. The delirious youth often uttered his name
in connection with that of his sweetheart.”

“ Hasten, Datis, and bring Boges hither.”

“ The chief priest, Oropastes, too, the brother of Gaumata,
must be interrogated ; also Mandane, who, I have just
been told, is actually the Egyptian’s chief servant.”

“ Fetch her, Datis.”

“ If Nitetis herself — ”

At the Athenian’s words the king turned pale, and
shuddered slightly. How gladly he would have seen his
beloved again ! But the strong man feared the fascinating
or reproachful glances of the girl, so he cried to Datis,
pointing to the door : “ Go and fetch Boges and Mandane.
The Egyptian will remain well guarded in the hanging
gardens.”

The Athenian bowed respectfully, as one who would
say: “It is your place alone to command here.”

The king looked at him graciously, and re- seated himself
on the purple divan. He thoughtfully rested his head on
his hand, and looked at the ground. The image of the
woman whom he had loved so tenderly came more and
more distinctly before him, and would not be banished.
The thought that this face could not deceive — that Nitetis
was, perhaps, really innocent — took a firmer hold of his
heart, now open to hope. If Bart j a could be cleared, every
other error was conceivable. He would go himself, then,
to the hanging gardens, take her hand, and hear her
defence. When love has taken possession of a man of
mature years, it fills his being like his veins, and can only
be destroyed with his life.

When Crcesus entered the room, Cambyses awoke from
his dreams, graciously raised the old man, who had thrown
himself at his feet, and said : “ You offended me ; but I
will show mercy, because I remember the last words
of my father, who bade me esteem you as an adviser and
friend. Take back your life from my hand, and forget my
anger, as I forget your want of respect. Let that man,
who says he knows you, tell you what he thinks. I desire
to hear your opinion.”

284

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS,

Croesus turned to the Athenian, deeply moved, and,
after welcoming him heartily, listened to his explanations.

The old man listened with increasing attention; .and,
when Phanes ceased, raised his hands to heaven, and cried :
“ Pardon me, ye gods, that I doubted your justice ! Is
it not wonderful, Cambyses ? My son rushes into danger
to save this noble man’s life ; and now the gods bring him
to Persia to repay ten times what Gyges did for him. If
Phanes had been killed in Egypt, the heads of our sons
would, perhaps, have fallen this very hour.”

At these words Croesus threw himself on the breast of
Hystaspes, who, like him, saw his favourite son born
anew.

The king, Phanes, and the Persian dignitaries looked on,
deeply moved, at the embraces of the old men. None of
those present doubted Bartja’s innocence any longer, though
till now it had been established by mere conjecture.
Where the belief in guilt is small, the defender finds open
ears.

CHAPTER XXIL

THE ACQUITTAL.

W ITH true Attic sagacity, Phanes had deduced the
truth of the sad events from what he had heard;
it had not escaped him, that malice must also have been
at work, for Bartja’s dagger could only have been placed
in the hanging gardens by a traitor. While he told the
king of this suspicion, the staff-bearers led in the chief
priest, Oropastes.

The king looked at him, angrily, and asked, without pre-
face : “ Have you a brother ? ”

“ Yes, my lord. He and I are all who are left of six
children. My parents — ”

“ Is this brother younger or older than you ? ”

“ I was the eldest of all, while he, the youngest, came as
the joy of my father’s age.”

“ Have you observed a striking likeness between him and
one of my relations ? ”

“Yes, my king. G-aumata is so strikingly like your
brother, Bartja, that he is constantly called the prince in
the seminary for priests at Rhagse, where he still is.”

“ Was he in Babylon lately ? ”

“ Por the last time during the Hew Year’s festival.”

“ Are you speaking the truth ? ”

“ My dress and my office would render me doubly cul-
pable if I were to let a lie pass my lips.”

The king coloured with anger at these words, and cried :
“ And yet you lie, for G-aumata was here yesterday even-
ing. You have good reason to tremble.”

“ My life belongs to you, to whom all belongs ; and yet
I, the high priest, swear by the highest god, whom I have

286

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

served faithfully for thirty years, that I know notning of
my brother’s presence in Babylon yesterday.”

“ Your face bears the stamp of truth.”

“ You know that yesterday I did not leave you for a
minute.”

“ I know.”

The doors opened again, and admitted the trembling
Mandane. The chief priest gave her a surprised and ques-
tioning look. The king observed them narrowly ; it did
not escape him that the maid was in some way connected
with Oropastes ; so he asked him, without paying attention
to the girl, who lay trembling at his feet : “ Do you know
this woman ? ”

“ Yes, my lord. Through my influence she obtained the
important office of chief servant to the Egyptian princess.
May Auramazda forgive her ! ”

“How was it that you, a priest, favoured this young
woman ? ”

“ Her parents died of the plague which carried off my
brothers. Her father was a worthy priest and a friend of
our house, so we adopted the girl, remembering the sacred
doctrine : * If thou givest nought to the pure man and his
widow, then shalt thou be cast forth from the pure and
humble earth into stinging nettles and torments and
horrible places.* I became her foster-father, and had her
brought up with my youngest brother till he entered the
seminary for priests.”

The Hug and Phanes exchanged a glance, and the former
asked : “ Why did you not keep the maid, who seems to me
beautiful ? ”

“ When she received her earrings, I thought it right to
remove her from my priestly household and establish an
independent future for her,”

“Has she seen your brother since she was grown
up ? ”

“Yes, my lord. Whenever G-aumata visited me, I
allowed him to associate with Mandane as with a sister ;
but when I saw that the passion of youth began to mingle
with the childish friendship, my determination to send the
girl away became firmer.”

“ We know enough,” said the king, as he signed to the

THE ACQUITTAL, 287

chief priest to stand bade. Then he looked down on the
girl, and thundered : “ Eise ! ”

Mandane trembled all over. Her rosy face was pale as
death, her red lips had assumed a bluish tint,

“ Say what you know of yesterday evening, but remember
that a lie will cause your death.”

The terrified girl trembled so that she could scarcely
stand, and fear sealed her lips.

“ My patience is limited,” cried Cambyses, Again Man-
dane started, turned still paler, and found it more impos-
sible to speak than ever. Then Phanes advanced towards
the angry king, and asked him in a low voice to allow him
to question the girl. Her mouth, closed by fear, would be
opened by a kind word.

The king nodded consent, and the Athenian’s words were
confirmed, for hardly had he assured Mandane of the sym-
pathy of all present, laid his hand on her head and en-
couraged her, when the tears flowed down her cheeks, and
the spell which had bound her tongue was broken. She
told in a voice, interrupted by low sobs, all that she knew ;
did not conceal that Boges had connived at the meeting,
and ended with the words : “ I know well that I have for-
feited my life, and that I am the worst and most un-
grateful being in the world ; but all these misfortunes
would never have been possible if Oropastes had allowed
his brother to marry me.”

With these words, spoken in a tone of deep longing, she
again began to sob, while the grave audience, and even the
king himself, could not avoid a slight smile.

This smile saved the girl’s life, which was in great
danger. But Cambyses would scarcely have smiled, if
Mandane, with the ready instinct which never fails women
when danger threatens, had not understood how to touch
his weak point. She therefore lingered much longer than
necessary on the joy which Hitetis had expressed at the
king’s presents.

“ A thousand times,” she cried, “ my mistress kissed the
things which were brought her from you, 0 king. Most
often she pressed the flowers to her lips which a few days
ago you picked for her with your own hands. And when
the flowers began to wither, she took one after the other.

288

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

opened out tlxe petals carefully, laid them between woollen
cloths, and herself put her heavy gold ointment-box on
them in order to dry and preserve them in memory of
your goodness.’’

When she saw that at these words the face of her stem
judge brightened, she gained new courage, placed loving
words in her mistress’ mouth which she had never uttered,
and declared that she, Mandane, had heard her utter the
word “ Cambyses ” a hundred times in her sleep, in a tone
of inexpressible love. She ended with a sobbing appeal for
mercy.

The king looked down on her without anger but with
intense scorn, pushed her away with his foot, and cried :
“ Out of my sight, worthless creature. Blood such as yours
would defile the executioner’s axe. Out of my sight.”

Mandane did not wait for a second order to leave the
hall. The words, “ Out of my sight,” were to her as
sweet as music. She flew through the wide courts of the
palace, and cried like a mad woman to the crowds in the
street : “ I am free, I am free.”

She had scarcely left the hall, when Datis, the king’s eye,
entered again with the information that the chief eunuch
had been sought in vain. He had vanished mysteriously
from the hanging-gardens, but Datis had given orders to
his subordinates to seek the fugitive and secure him, alive
or dead.

The king’s anger broke out again at this news, and he
threatened the minister of the police, who had wisely con-
cealed from his master the excitement of the populace,
with severe punishment if the fugitive were not arrested by
the following morning.

He had scarcely finished speaking, when the staff-bearer
introduced a eunuch of the king’s mother, who was the
bearer of a message asking him for an interview.

Cambyses at once prepared to obey the queen’s wish,
gave Phanes his hand to kiss, a rare mark of favour
accorded to the companions of the table alone, and cried :
“ All the prisoners are to be liberated at once. Go to your
sons, fathers, and tell them they may rest assured of my
favour and mercy. I expect we shall find a satrapy for
each of them as compensation for a night of undeserved

THE ACQUITTAL.

239

imprisonment. I owe you many thanks, my Greek friend.
To discharge my debt, and bind you to my court, the
treasurer shall give you one hundred talents.”

“ I shall scarcely be able to use so large a sum,” returned
Phanes.

“ Misuse it then,” said the king, smiling, and he left the
hall with his court officials, after calling to the Athenian :
“We shall meet again at the banquet.”

During these events deep sorrow reigned in the apart-
ments of the king’s mother. Cassandane believed in
Eitetis’ infidelity after she had heard the contents of the
letter to Bart j a, but she looked on her beloved son as
innocent. Whom could she trust in the future, if the
girl on whom she had looked, till then, as the embodiment
of all womanly virtues, deserved to be called an aban-
doned, faithless woman, and the noblest youths could
become perjurers.

hTitetis was worse than dead to her. Bartja, Croesus,
Darius, Gyges, Araspes, with whom she was united by
the ties of blood and friendship, were as good as dead.
She could not even give free vent to her grief, for she
desired to control the outbursts of despair of her wild
child.

Atossa behaved like a mad woman when she heard of the
death sentence which had been pronounced. The modera-
tion which she had learnt in her intercourse with the
Egyptian deserted her, and the passion which had been
controlled so long broke out with redoubled force.

Nitetis, her only friend ; Bartja, her brother, to whom
■ she clung with all her soul ; Darius, whom, she felt, she
no longer honoured as the preserver of her life, but loved
with all the intensity of a first passion ; Croesus, who was
to her as a father; — all whom she valued she was now to lose
suddenly.

She rent her garments, tore her hair, called Cambyses
a monster, and everyone who believed in the guilt of such
men deluded and mad. Then she burst into tears and
uttered humble prayers to the gods ; a few minutes later
she implored her mother to accompany her to the hang-
ing-gardens, that they might listen to hTitetis’ defence.

u

290

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

Cassandane sought to calm the distracted girl, and assured
her that every attempt to speak with Hitetis would he
in vain. Atossa began to rage again, and at last her
mother was forced to order lier to be silent, and when
morning dawned she sent her to her bedroom.

The girl obeyed the queen’s command, but instead of
seeking her couch, she seated herself by the high window
which faced the hanging gardens. She looked with tearful
glances at the house in which her friend and sister, alone
and exiled from her friends, awaited a shameful death.
Suddenly, a powerful resolve seemed to animate her eyes,
which were dim with tears. Instead of gazing in the far
distance, she fixed her look firmly on a black spot, which
flew towards her in a straight line from the Egyptian’s
house, became more and more distinct, and finally settled
on a cypress tree near her -window.

At once the sorrow left her beautiful face; she drew
a deep breath, clapped her hands and cried : “ 0 look \
The bird Homai, 1 the bird of fortune ! How all will be
well.”

The same bird of paradise, the sight of which had
given such comfort to Hitetis, brought new confidence to
Atossa.

After glancing round to see that no one was watching her,
she looked into the garden. When she felt convinced that
there was no one there but the old gardener, she swung
herself out of the window, agile as a deer, broke a few
roses and cypress twigs, and approached the old man, who
shook his head as he watched her.

She stroked the old man’s cheek coaxingly, put her
flowers into his brown hand, and asked : “ Do you love me,
Sabaces P ”

“ O mistress,” answered the old man, eagerly pressing
his lips on the hem of the princess’s garment.

“ I believe you, father, and will show you that I trust
my old Sabaces. Hide these flowers well, and hie with them
to the king’s palace. Say you bring fruit for the table.
Hear the guard-house of the Immortals, my poor brother
and Darius, the son of noble Hystaspes, are kept prisoners.

1 The Persian name for the bird of paradise.

THE ACQUITTAL.

See that both receive these flowers at once, do you hear,
with a warm greeting from me.”

“ The guards will not admit me to the prisoners.”

Take these rings, and press them into their hands.
Surely they will not forbid the unhappy men to he
cheered by the sight of flowers ! ”

“ I will try.”

“ I knew you loved me, good Sabaces. Now be quick,
and come back soon.”

The old man went as quickly as he could. Atossa looked
after him thoughtfully, and murmured : “ Now they will
both know that I loved them to the last. The rose means,
I love you; the evergreen cypress, faithful and un-
changeable.”

An hour later the old man returned, and brought the
princess, who hastened towards him, Bartja's favourite
ring, and from Darius an Indian handkerchief soaked
in blood. Atossa took the gifts from the old man's hand
with tearful eyes. Then she seated herself under a broad
plantain with the precious memorials, pressed them alter-
nately to her lips, and murmured : “ Bartja’s ring means
that he thinks of me, Darius' blood-stained handkerchief,
that he is ready i to shed his heart's blood for me.”

Atossa smiled at these words, and henceforth she was
able to weep quietly, even though bitterly, while she
thought of her friend’s fate.

A few hours later a messenger of Croesus informed the
queen and Atossa that the innocence of Bartja and his friends
was proved, and that Nitetis was almost exculpated.

Cassandane sent at once to the hanging gardens, to ask
Nitetis to come to her. Atossa, uncontrolled in joy as in
grief, hurried to meet her friend's litter, and flew from
one attendant to the other to tell them : “ All are innocent,
all are to be preserved to us.”

When at last the litter approached with her friend, when
she saw her darling pale as death, she sobbed aloud, em-
braced Nitetis as she descended, and covered her with
kisses and embraces, till she observed that the girl
trembled, and needed stronger support than her weak
arms could afford.

2<?2

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

The Egyptian was earned unconscious to the room of
the king’s mother. When she opened her eyes, her head
lay in the lap of the blind queen, she felt Atossa’ s warm
lips on her brow, and Cambyses, who had obeyed his
mother’s summons, stood by her couch.

Alarmed and distracted she looked round at those whom
she loved best. At last she recognized them, one after the
other, passed her hand over her pale brow as though to
remove a veil, smiled at each, and then closed her eyes
again. She thought Isis had sent her a sweet vision,
and she strove with all her strength to retain it in her
soul.

Then Atossa uttered her name with passionate tender-
ness. She opened her eyes again, and once more met the
same loving glances which she thought she had seen in
a dream. Yes, that was Atossa, that was her motherly
friend, that was, not the angry king, but the man who
loved her. How he opened his lips and cried, raising
his stern eyes to her like a suppliant for mercy : “ 0
Hitetis, awake. You may not, you cannot be guilty.”
She shook her head joyfully, and over her beautiful
face passed a happy smile like the breath of spring over
roses.

“ She is innocent. By Mithra ! she cannot be guilty,”
cried Cambyses again, and he fell on his knees without
paying attention to those around.

A Persian physician approached the girl, and rubbed
her temples with sweet-scented ointments. The oculist
Hebenchari murmured exorcisms, felt her pulse, shook
his head, and gave her a draught from his medicine
chest. She was restored to full consciousness; and turn-
ing to Cambyses, she asked after she had raised herself
with difficulty and returned her friends’ caresses : “ How
could you think such things of me, my king ? ” Ho
reproach, only deep pain, was expressed in her words,
and Cambyses answered with a whispered entreaty
“ Eorgive me 1 ”

Cassandane thanked her son with a grateful look, and
said : “ I too, my daughter, must ask your pardon.”

“ But I never doubted you,” cried Atossa, full of pride
and happiness, kissing her friend.

THE ACQUITTAL.

293

“Tour letter to Bart j a shook my belief in your inno-
cence,” added the mother of Cambyses.

“ An d yet it was a very simple matter,” answered Hitetis.
“ Here my mother, take this letter from Egypt. Croesus
can translate it to you. It will explain everything.
Perhaps I have been imprudent. My king, let your
mother tell you all that is necessary. Do not scorn my
poor, sick sister. When an Egyptian loves she cannot
forget. I am so frightened. The end is approaching.
These last hours were too terrible. The dreadful sen-
tence of death which Boges, that terrible man, read to
me, that sentence forced the poison into my hand. 0 my
heart 1 ”

With these words she sank into Cassandane’s lap.
Nebenchari, the physician, hurried up, gave her a few
drops, and cried : “ I thought so. She has taken poison
and is sure to die, even though this antidote delays her
death for a few days.”

Cambyses stood by him, pale and motionless, following
all his movements with his eyes, while Atossa bedewed
her friend’s brow with her tears.

“ Bring milk and fetch my great medicine chest,” com-
manded the oculist. “ Call servants to carry her away, for
she needs rest above all things.”

Atossa hastened into the next room, but Cambyses
asked the physician, without looking at him : “Is there
no hope ? ”

“The poison she has taken is followed by certain
death.”

WTien the king heard these words, he pushed aside the
physician and cried: “She must live! I command it!
Hither eunuchs! Summon all the doctors in Babylon;
all the priests and mobeds ! She must live ! Do you hear ?
she must live ! I command it, I the king ! ”

At this moment Nitetis opened her eyes, as though to
obey her master’s command. Her face was turned towards
the window. On the cypress tree, outside it, sat the bird
of paradise, with the golden chain on his foot. The
suffering girl’s glance fell first on her lover, who was
kneeling by her, and pressed his hot lips on her right
hand. Smiling she murmured : “ 0 this happiness ! ”

294

AN EGYPTIAN PEINCESS.

Then she saw the bird, pointed towards it with her
right hand, and cried : “ Look ! look ! the bird of Ea ! the
Phoe nix ! ”

With these words she closed her eyes* and soon after
was seized bj a violent fever.

CHAPTER XXIH,

OLD HIB.

P REXASPES, the king’s ambassador, and one of the
most important court officials, had taken Mandane’s
lover, Gaumata, whose likeness to Bartja was indeed re-
markable, to Babylon, in spite of his wound. He awaited
his sentence in prison, but Boges, the instigator of the
plot, was nowhere to be found, though the police had
exerted themselves to their utmost. The crowds of people
in the streets of Babylon had enabled him to fly with
ease through the trap-door of the hanging- gardens. Great
treasures were found in his house. Chests of gold and
jewels, which it was easy for a man in his position to
procure, were returned to the king’s treasury, where they
belonged. Cambyses would gladly have given ten times
as much to gain possession of the person of the traitor.

Two days after the acquittal of the accused, to the
despair of Phsedime, he sent all the women, with the ex-
ception of his mother, Atossa, and the dying Hitetis, to
Susa. Several influential eunuchs were degraded from their
offices. Their order was to suffer for the crime of the
fugitive. Oropastes, who had already assumed his office,
as representative of the king, and had clearly proved
that he was innocent of all knowledge of his brother’s
crime, filled the vacant posts with none but magi. The
king was not made acquainted with the demonstration of
the Babylonians in favour of bis brother till long after the
crowds had dispersed. In spite of his anxiety for Nitetis,
which absorbed almost all his thoughts, he demanded a
full account of these unlawful proceedings, and ordered
that the leaders of the mob should be severely punished.

296

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

He thought these events proved that Bartja was trying to
gain the favour of the people, and he would perhaps have
given him some actual token of his displeasure, if his
better feelings had not told him that it was not for. him to
forgive Bartja, but for Bartja to forgive him. In spite of
this, he could not prevent the thought that Bartja, however
unwittingly, was again to blame for the sad events of the
last few days, nor could he help wishing to rid himself of
his brother as far as was possible. He therefore consented
at once to the youth’s desire to start for Naucratis imme-
diately.

Two days after his acquittal, Bartja bade his mother
and sister an affectionate farewell, and set out on his
journey. G-yges, Zopyrus, and a numerous retinue, bear-
ing costly presents from Cambyses to Sappho, accom-
panied him. Darius did not go with him, as his love for
Atossa detained him. Besides, the day was not far distant
when, by order of his father, he was to marry Artystone,
daughter of Grobryas.

Bartja parted from his friend with a heavy heart, after
advising him to be very cautious where Atossa was con-
cerned. Cassandane now knew the secret of the lovers, and
promised to speak to the king on Darius’ behalf.

Ho one had a better right than the son of Hystaspes to
raise his eyes to the daughter of Cyrus. He was closely
connected with the reigning house by marriage. Like
Cambyses, he belonged to the Pasargadse, his family was a
younger branch of the ruling dynasty, and was therefore
its equal. His father was the head of all the nobles
of the realm, and was therefore governor of the province
of Persia, the country from which the enormous empire
and its ruler were sprung. If the family of Cyrus became
extinct, the descendants of Hystaspes would have well
established hereditary claims on the Persian throne. Apart
from his personal advantages, therefore, Darius could de-
mand Atossa’ s hand as her equal in rank. Still, the
king’s consent could not be sought now. Eecent events
had plunged him into a state of gloom in which he had
remained ever since, and he might easily give a refusal
which must be looked on as linal, whatever the circum-
stances under which it was given. Bartja was therefore

OLD HIB.

297

obliged to leave without being satisfied as to the future of
the two beings who were so dear to him.

Crcesus promised to act as mediator once more ; and,
before Bartja left, arranged a meeting between him and
Phanes.

The youth greeted the Athenian with great kindliness,
for he had heard nothing hut what was good and pleasant
about him from Sappho, and he quickly won the friendship
of the experienced man, who gave him many a useful hint,
and a letter of introduction to the Milesian Theopompus
in Naucratis, and finally asked for a private interview.

When Bartja returned with the Athenian to his friends,
he seemed grave and thoughtful, but he had soon forgotten
his care, and jested with his comrades over the farewell
cup. Befoi'e he mounted his horse, next morning, Neben-
chari asked an audience of him. The oculist was admitted,
and begged him to take a long letter to King Amasis.
It contained a detailed account of Nitetis’ sufferings, and
ended with the words: “Thus, this poor victim of your
ambition will die in a few hours from the effects of the
poison which she took to keep herself from despair. As a
sponge effaces a picture from a slate, so the caprice of the
mighty of the earth effaces the happiness of a life. Your
slave Nebenchari languishes, an exile from home and
property, the unhappy daughter of an Egyptian king dies
a lingering death as a suicide. Her body will be tom by
dogs and vultures, iu accordance with the Persian custom.
Woe to those who have robbed the innocent girl of happi-
ness in this world and peace in that which is to come ! ”
Bartja promised to take the letter, the contents of which
he did not know. Surrounded by the joyous crowd, he
piled up the stones before the gates of the town, which,
according to a Persian superstition , 1 were to ensure a
successful journey, and left Babylon.

Meanwhile Nebenchari prepared to return to his post be-
side the Egyptian’s death- bed. ISTear the brazen gates of the
wall which connected the garden of the harem with the courts
of the large palace, a white-robed old man advanced towards
him* Nebenchari had no sooner set eyes on him than he

This superstition still exists in Persia.

298

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

started back and stared at him as at an apparition. When
the old man gave him a familiar, friendly smile, he
hastened forward, held ont his hand with a heartiness
of which none of his Persian friends would have thought
him capable, and cried in Egyptian : “ Can I trust my
eyes? Old Hib, 1 you here in Persia! I should sooner
have expected the sky to fall than that I should have the
joy of seeing you here on the banks of the Euphrates.
But tell me, in Osiris’ name, what induced you, old ibis,
to leave your warm nest on the Nile and undertake the
long journey to the east ? ”

The old man, who during this speech had bowed low,
with his arms hanging beside him, now looked at the
oculist with an air of inexpressible happiness, and touched
his breast with trembling hands ; then he bent one knee,
laid one hand on his heart and raised the other to
heaven: “ I thank thee, great Isis, thou who grantest pro-
tection to the wanderer, that thou hast permitted me to
find my master again. 0 child, what anxiety I have suffered
on your account. I thought I should find you thin like a
starved prisoner in the quarries, miserable, and worn by
grief, and, lo ! you are in robust health, as stately and
handsome as ever ! If old Hib had been in your place he
would have grieved and vexed himself to death, long
ago.”

“ I believe you, old friend. I, too, left my home only
oecause I was forced, and it was with a bleeding heart.
Eoreign lands belong to Seth, the gracious gods live only
in Egypt on the sacred, blessed Nile.”

“ Not very blessed ! ” murmured the old man.

“ You alarm me, father. What has happened that — ”

“ Happened ! Hm ! Fine things have happened. Well !
you will hear them soon enough. Do you think I would
have left my house and my little grandchildren, and in
my eightieth year have travelled like a Greek or Phoeni-
cian vagrant, and gone among these accursed strangers,
— may the gods destroy them ! — if life had still been endur-
able in Egypt ? ”

“ But what has happened ? 99

1 The ancient Egyptian name for the ibis.

OLD HIB.

2 99

** Presently, presently. Now, first of all, yon must take
me to your dwelling, wliicli I will not leave while we are in
this land of Typhon.”

The old man uttered these words with such vehement
abhorrence that Neben chari could not help smiling, and
asked : “ Have you fared so ill, old friend? ”

“ Plague and Chamsin ! ” 1 shouted the old man. “ All
these Persians are the most good-for-nothing children of
Typhon on earth. I wonder that they were not all born
with red hair and leprosy. Child, I have already spent
two days in this hell, and I have been obliged to live all
the time with these unbelievers. I was told that it was
impossible to see you, for you could not leave Nitetis* sick
bed. Poor little thing ! I always said this marriage would
turn out badly. Well, it serves Amasis right if his children
cause him grief; he deserves it on your account.”

“ You ought to be ashamed of yourself.”

“ What ! I must say it sooner or later. I hate this king,
this adventurer who, while he was still a boy, picked the
dates from your father’s trees, and tore the plates from
the doors. Oh, I knew him well, the good-for-nothing
fellow. It’s a disgrace that such a man — ”

“ Grently, gently, old man,” said Nebenchari, interrupt-
ing the excited speaker. “ We are not all alike, and if
Amasis was indeed your equal as a boy, it is your fault
that as an old man you are so much below him.”

“ My grandfather was a servant of the temple, so was my
father, and therefore, of course, I was obliged to become
the same .” 2

“ True, the laws of caste order this. Therefore Amasis
ought to have been nothing bnt a poor captain.”

“ It’s not every one has such an accommodating conscience
as this upstart.”

“ Always the same. You ought to be ashamed, Hub.
A.s long as I have lived — and that is a full half century
— every other word of yours has been a word of abuse.

1 South-west wind, which is very dangerous to the fertile valley of
tho Nile, and is known to us as the simoom.

2 The regulations regarding caste in Egypt were not as strict as
in India, but as a rule the son followed the same profession as hia
father.

300

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

When I was still a child, I had to suffer from your bad
temper ; now the king is its object.’’

“ And quite right too ! If you only knew all ! Seven
months ago — ”

“ I cannot listen now. When the Pleiades rise, I will
send a slave to bring you to my house. Till then remain
where you are, for I must go to my patient.”

“ What, you must 1 Yery well, go then, and let old Hib
die. I shall expire, I shall perish, if I remain with these
people another hour.”

“ But what do you want ? ”

“ To remain in your apartments till we leave again.”

“ Have you been so badly treated then P ”

“Yes, indeed; oh, this abomination! They forced me
to eat with them out of the same dish, to cut my bread
with their knife. A wretched Persian who was in Egypt
for a long while, and travelled with me, told them everything
that defiles us. When I wanted to shave, they took aw r ay my
knife. A good-for-nothing girl kissed, my forehead before I
was aware of it. You need not laugh ; I shall need at least
a month before I can purify myself from these defilements.
When at last the emetic which I had taken, acted, they
mocked at me. But that is not all. In my presence an
accursed scullion half killed a sacred kitten. An ointment-
rubber who had heard that I was your servant, bade that
accursed Bubares, with whom I came hither, ask if I
understood how to cure the eyes. Perhaps I said yes, for
you know in sixty years you can learn something from
your master. Then the miserable fellow complained
(Bubares interpreted) that a dreadful disease of the eye
alarmed him. When I asked what it was, he replied
that he could see nothing in the dark.”

“ You should have answered that the sole remedy for
this disease was to strike a light.”

“ How I hate these good-for-nothing fellows ! If I am
obliged to stay another hour with them I shall die.”

Nebenchari smiled, and returned: “You probably be-
haved very strangely, and provoked their insolence. The
Persians are generally polite, well-behaved people. Try
them once more. I will gladly receive you this evening,
till then it is impossible.”

OLD HIB.

301

“ I thought so. He too has changed. Osiris is dead,
and Seth rules on earth again.”

“ Farewell ! When the Pleiades rise the slave Pianchi,
our old Ethiopian, will await you here.”

“ That old rogue, Pianchi, whom I hate to see ? ”

“Yes.”

“ Hm ! It’s certainly a good thing when people remain
unchanged. I certainly know people of whom this can-
not be said, who, instead of confining themselves to their
branch of a profession, wish to cure internal diseases, and
bid their old servant — ”

“ Keep silence, and patiently await the evening.”

These last words were gravely spoken, and had their
effect on the old man. He bowed, and said, before his
master left him : “ I came hither under the protection of
Phanes, the former captain of the mercenaries. He wishes
to speak with you.”

“ That is his affair. Let him come and seek me.”

“ You are all day with your patient, whose eyes are quite
strong.”

“Hib ! ”

“ Well, if you like, she has cataract in both. May Phanes
come with me to-night P ”

“ I wished to see you alone.”

“ And I you. The G-reek seems to be in great haste,
and knows nearly all that I have to tell you.”

“ Did you gossip ? ”

“ Hot exactly, but — ”

“ My father praised your fidelity, and till to-day I thought
you trustworthy and reserved.”

“ So I was, always. But the Greek knew much of what I
had to tell, and the rest — ”

“Well?”

“ The rest he got out of me, I don’t know how. If I did
not wear this amulet to protect me from the evil eye,
then—”

“ I know the Athenian, and pardon you. I should like
him to accompany you to-night. How high the sun stands
in the sky. Time is short. Tell me briefly what has
happened.”

“ To-night, I thought — ”

302

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

** No, X must have some idea of what has occurred before
I see the Athenian. Be quick l °

** You have been robbed . 0

“Nothing else ? 0

“ If you call that nothing . 0

“ Answer me, nothing else ? n

“No.”

“ Then, farewell ! °

“ But Nebencliari — °

The oculist did not hear him, for the gate which led to
the royal harem had already closed behind him.

When the Pleiades rose, Nebenchari sat in one of the
splendid rooms which he occupied in the east wing of the
palace, not far from Cassandane’s dwelling. The kindness
with which he had greeted his old servant had again given
way to the gravity which made the joyous Persians look on
him as a sullen man.

He was a true Egyptian, a true child of his caste, whose
members, whenever they appeared in public, went their
way in solemn dignity, and never jested; while, among
their friends and relations, they threw off all the restraint
they had imposed on themselves, and became almost
exuberant in their mirth.

Nehenchari received Phanes with cold politeness, though
he had known him at Sais, and after welcoming old Hib
bade him leave him alone with the captain.

“ I have come to you,° began the Athenian in Egyptian,
which he spoke perfectly, “because I must consult you
about some important matters — °

“ Which I know already , 0 answered the oculist, shortly.

“ I doubt it,° said Phanes, smiling incredulously.

“ You were exiled from Egypt, bitterly persecuted and
insulted by the crown prince, Psamtik, and have come to
Persia to make Cambyses the instrument of your vengeance
against my native land . 0

“ You are wrong. I owe no vengeance to your land, but
all the more to the house of Amasis.”

“ You know that in Egypt ruler and state are the same . 0

“ I think, rather, that I have noticed that the priests in
your home like to put themselves on a level with the
state.”

OLD HIB. 303

•* Then you know more than I. Till now, I thought the
sovereigns of Egypt were absolute.”

“ So they are when they are free from the influence of
your class. Amasis, too, bows to the priests now.”

4t Strange tidings ! ”

“ Which you were told long ago.”

“ You think so ? ”

“ Certainly. But I know with still greater certainty
that Amasis once succeeded — do you hear ? — succeeded in
subduing the will of his counsellors to his own.”

“ I hear little from home — I do not know to what you
refer.”

“ I expect so ; for if you knew, and did not clench your
fists, you would be no better than a dog, which whines, sub-
mits to be kicked, and licks its tormentor’s hand.”

At these words, the oculist turned pale, and said : “ I
know I have been insulted by Amasis, but I must tell you
that I think vengeance too sweet to be shared with a
stranger.”

“Well said. But as to my vengeance, I must compare
it with a vineyard that is so full that I cannot gather the
fruit all alone.”

“ And so you came to me for help ? ”

“ Yes. I have not yet given up the hope that you will
share my harvest.”

“ You are mistaken. My work is done, the gods have
relieved me of my task. Amasis has been punished
enough for exiling me from home, friends, and pupils, and
banishing me into this land of impurity because of his
selfish plans.”

“ You mean his blindness ? ”

“ Perhaps.”

“ Then you do not know that your colleague, Petammon,
has cut a skin which covered Amasis’ pupils, and has re-
stored his sight ? ”

The Egyptian started, and gnashed his teeth; but he
quickly regained his composure, and returned: “ Then the
gods have punished the father through his children.”

“ How so ? Psamtik suits the present mood of the king.
Tachot suffers, it is true, but she is all the more diligent in
praying and sacrificing with her father. As to Nitetis, her

304

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

probable death will not affect him more than if a friend of
his daughter had died. Yon know that as well as I do.”

“ Once more, I do not understand you.”

44 Of course not, as long as you think that I believe your
fair patient to be the child of Amasis.”

Again the Egyptian started. Phanes continued, without
apparently noticing his excitement : “ I know more than
you think. dSTitetis is the daughter of Hophra, your king’s
dethroned predecessor. Amasis brought her up as his own
child, in the first place, so that your countrymen should
think the fallen Pharaoh had died without descendants,
and, secondly, to deprive Nitetis of every claim on a throne
which legally belongs to her. Women can rule on the
Nile.”

“ These are conjectures.”

“Which I can strengthen by incontestible proofs.
Among the papers which your old servant Hib has in a
little box, there must be letters from your own father, the
celebrated physician — ”

“ Even then the letters are undoubtedly my property,
which I should not feel inclined to give up. Besides, you
would seek in vain in Persia for a man who can decipher
my father’s writing.”

“Pardon me, if I again draw your attention to a few
mistakes. In the first place, as I said, the box is in my
charge, and though I am used to lay great stress on the
rights of property, it will not be restored till its contents
have served my purpose. Then, through the wonderful
acts of the gods, there lives in Babylon a man who can
read every writing which is known to an Egyptian. You,
perhaps, remember the name of Onuphis ? ”

The oculist turned pale, and asked : “ Are you sure that
man is still among the living ? ”

44 1 saw him yesterday. You know he was chief priest
at Heliopolis, and therefore acquainted with all your
secret teachings. My wise countryman, Pythagoras of
Samos, came to Egypt, and, after having submitted to
some of your ceremonies, received permission to take part
in the instruction of the priests at Heliopolis. His great
intellectual endowments gained for him the friendship
of Onuphis, who initiated him into the various secret

OLD HIB.

305

doctrines , 1 which Pythagoras made accessible to airSh^
world. I, myself, and my noble friend, Rhodopis, are proud
to call ourselves his pupils. When your priests heard
that Onuphis had betrayed their secrets, they resolved to
kill him. He was to die from a poison extracted from
peach-stones. The condemned man heard what awaited
him, and fled to Naucratis, where Rhodopis, of whose
kindness and intelligence Pythagoras had told him, granted
him an asylum in her house, which was under the protec-
tion of the king. Here he met Antimenidas, brother of
the poet Alcaeus, of Lesbos, who had lived in Babylon
during the many years he had been exiled from home by
Pittacus, the wise ruler of Mitylene, and who had served
under Nebuchadnezzar, then king of Assyria. Antimenidas
gave him letters of recommendation to the Chaldseans.
Onuphis journeyed to the Euphrates, settled in Babylon,
and, as he had left home a poor man, was obliged to seek
some means of earning his livelihood. He procured this
by means of Antimenidas’ letter. He who had once be-
longed to the mightiest in Egypt, still earns his bread by
assisting the Chaldseans with his superior knowledge in
their astronomical calculations on the tower of Bel.
Onuphis, though nearly eighty, is still in full possession of
his faculties. When I spoke with him yesterday, and asked
for his help, he consented with joy. Your father was one
of his judges, but he will not let his anger pass from father
to son, and sends you greeting.”

During this narrative, Nebenchari sat gazing thought-
fully on the ground. When Phanes ceased, he looked at
him searchingly, and asked : “ Where are my papers P ”

“ In the hands of Onuphus, who seeks in them the proofs
I need.”

“ I thought as much. Be kind enough to tell me what
the box looked like that old Hib thought fit to bring to
Persia.”

1 Little is known of the secret doctrines of the priests, which seem to
have been their exclusive property, and to have embraced much that
was symbolised by the sacred ceremonies. (Plutarch, Isis aud Osiris,
4-11.) Some of the doctrines are preserved in the papyri, but they are
hard to understand, as the priests purposely made the language obscure.
The belief in one god seems to have been the fundamental idea of these
doctrines, which probably contained much that was sublime.

X

806

AN EGYPTIAN PEINCES3.

“ It is a little box of black ebony. The cover is skil-
fully carved. There is a winged beetle in the middle, and
on the four corners — ”

Nebenchari drew a long breath, and said : “ This little
box contains nothing but a few notes made by my father.”

“ Which will, perhaps, amply serve my purpose. I do
not know if yon have heard that I enjoy Cambyses’
favour ?”

“All the better for you. I can assure you that the
papers which might really be of use to you are still in
Egypt”

“ They were in a large, painted box of sycamore.”

“ How do you know ? ”

“ Because — attend to what I say, Hebenchari ; I must
tell you the truth ; I will not swear, for Pythagoras, my
master, forbids all oaths — this very box with all its con-
tents was burnt, in the grove of the temple of Heith at
Sais by order of the king.”

These words, which Phanes uttered slowly, emphasizing
each syllable, struck Hebenchari like so many flashes of
lightning. The unimpassioned calmness which he had
maintained till now gave way to indescribable excitement.
His cheeks glowed, his eyes flashed, but it was only for a
minute. Then his excitement changed to icy composure ;
his glowing cheeks grew pale, and he spoke quietly and
coldly: “You wish to make me your ally; to fill me with
hatred against my friends. I know you Greeks ! Cunning
intriguers ! you never shrink from deceit and falsehood
when you wish to further your aims.”

“ You judge me and my countrymen in Egyptian fashion
— that is, you think we strangers are as bad as it is possible
to be. This time your suspicions mislead you. Call old
Hib, and let him confirm what you will not believe from
my lips.” ^ ^

Hebenchari’s face darkened when Hib entered the room
in obedience to his calL

“ Come nearer,” he commanded.

Hib obeyed, shrugging his shoulders.

“ Have you been bribed by this man ? Yes or no ? I
demand the truth, for my future is at stake. If you
have been entrapped by the wiles of this master of cun-

OLD HIB.

307

ning, I pardon you, because I owe you much, my faithful
old servant. Tell the truth, I conjure you, in the name of
your Osirian ancestors.”

The old man’s yellow face became perfectly livid at his
master’s words. For a few minutes he puffed and panted,
and could not speak. At last, when he had succeeded in
repressing the tears that forced their way to his eyes, he
cried, half angrily, half whining : “ Did I not say so P He
has been ruined and bewitched in this land of shame and
misfortune. What a man is capable of himself he suspects
in others. You may look at me angrily. Why should
I care if I, an old man, who has served the same family
honestly and faithfully for sixty years, am called a good-
for-nothing rascal, a traitor, or a murderer, if you like.”
At these words hot tears filled the old man’s eyes, in spite
of his efforts to repress them.

Phanes, easily moved, tapped him on the shoulder, and
said : “ Hub is a faithful fellow. Call me a rascal if he
ever took an obolus from me.”

The oculist did not need the Athenian’s words to con-
vince him fully of his servant’s innocence. He knew
him long and well, and could read the old man’s face like
a book ; it was incapable of deception. He therefore ap-
proached, and said soothingly : “ I do not reproach you,
old man. Why be so angry at a simple question? ”

“Perhaps I am to be pleased at your shameful suspi-
cions?”

“ Well, no ! But now tell me what took place at home
during my absence.”

“ Fine doings. When I think of them it is like biting a
bitter colocynth.”

“ You said before that I had been robbed ! ”

“ And in what a way ! Ho one was ever robbed like that
before. If the rogues had belonged to the caste of thieves 1

1 According to Diodorus, x. 80, and A. Gellius, xi. 18, the thieves
who reported themselves to the police were probably placed under super-
vision, but not punished. Diodorus says that there was a superintendent
of the thieves, from whom stolen property could be regained on payment
of one-fourth of the value. This strange custom probably arose because
every Egyptian was obliged to report himself annually to the head of
his district, and to account for his way of living.

308

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

wo might console ourselves, for we should have received
hack most of our property, and not been worse off than
many others — ”

u Keep to the point., my time is short.”

“ I know, old Hih can do nothing right in Persia. Be it
so. You are master, and must command. I am only the
servant, who must obey. I well remember that. It was
at the time when the great Persian embassy came to Sais
to fetch Nitetis, and to be stared at by everyone like pro-,
digies, that the shameful deed was done. I sat, before
sunset, in the little insect tower, playing with my grand-
child, Benra’s eldest son. He's a line boy, remarkably
clever and strong for his ago. The little rogue was telling
me that his father had hidden his mother’s shoes , 1 as the
Egyptians do when their wives leave the children too
much alone, and I was laughing heartily, for I think this
serves Benra right ; she will never let any of my grand-
children stay with me, she always says I spoil them. Sud-
denly there came such a loud knock at the door that I
thought fire had broken out, and lot the boy fall from my
knees. I rushed down stairs as quickly as I could, three
steps at a time, with my long legs, and pushed back the
holt. The door flew open, and a number of police and
temple servants, at least fifteen men, forced their way into
the house before I had time to ask what they wanted.
Pichi, that insolent servant of Neith— ; you know kirn-
pushed me back, bolted the door, and ordered the police to
’bind me if I did not obey his orders. Of course I was rude,
for I cannot help it when I am angry— you know that,
master ; then— by god Thot.li, who protects all wisdom, I
speak the truth— the silly fellow orders them to bind me, and
forbids me, old Hib, to speak, and informs me tbat he has
orders from the chief priest to give me twenty-five blows
with a stick if I do not obey his orders without a word.
He showed me the seal ring of the chief prieBt. Now I
was obliged to obey the villain’s orders. These were nothing
less than that I was to deliver up to him at once all the

i Plutarch says it was considered unseemly in Egypt to cross the
streets barefooted, and so the Egyptians hid their wives’ shoes to force
them to attend to their household affairs.

OLD HIB.

309

manuscripts tliat you had left at home. Old Hib is not so
silly as to be caught, though some who ought to know him
better think he can be bribed, and is the son of a donkey.
What did I do ? I pretended to be quite crushed at the sight
of the seal ring ; asked Pichi, as politely as I could, to loosen
my bonds, and said that I would fetch the keys. They re-
moved the cords. I hurried upstairs, five steps at a time ;
when I reached the top I tore open your bedroom door,
pushed in my grandson, who stood in front of it, and
bolted it. Thanks to my long legs I was so far in front
of the others that I was able to give the boy the little
black box you recommended me to be particularly careful
of, to put the little fellow out of the window on to the
balcony that surrounds the house on the side facing the
court, and bid him hide it at once in the pigeon-house.
Then I opened the door as though nothing had happened,
explained to Pichi that the boy had put a knife in his mouth,
and that I rushed upstairs in my terror and turned him
out as a punishment. The brother of a hippopotamus be-
lieved me, and let me take him all over the house. First they
found the great chest of sycamore which you also told me
to guard carefully, then the papyri on your writing-table,
and gradually all the manuscripts in the house. They put
them all into the box and carried it downstairs. The little
black box lay safe in the pigeon-house. My grandchild is
the cleverest boy in Sais.

“ When I saw the box carried out of the house the anger
which I had with difficulty controlled broke out anew.
I threatened to accuse the insolent intruders before the
judges, before the king himself if necessary, and would
have set the mob on them if those accursed Persians, who
were looking at the town, had not at that moment attracted
the crowd. The same evening I went to my son-in-law,
who you know is also a servant of Heith, and asked him to
do all he could to find out what had become of the papers.
The good fellow is still grateful to you for the rich dowry
you gave him with my Benra, and three days later he came
to me to tell me that he had been an eyewitness of the burn-
ing of the beautiful box and all the manuscripts it con-
tained. I got jaundice from anger, but I did not let my
illness deter me from handing in a complaint to the

310

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

judges. These miserable men refused to hear me, probably
because they are priests. In your name I presented a petition
to the king, but was repulsed with the disgraceful threat
that I should be looked on as a traitor to the land if I ever
mentioned the papers again. I valued my tongue too much
to take further steps. The ground burned beneath my feet.

I could not remain in Egypt, for I was obliged to see you and
tell you what had been done to you. As you are mightier
than your servant it was my duty to urge you to avenge
yourself. I wanted to give you the black box, which other-
wise, perhaps, they would also have taken from me. I left
home and my little grandchild with a bleeding heart to go to
the land of Typhon, in spite of my age. 0, the little boy
was so clever. When I kissed him and bade him farewell, he
said : 4 Stay here, grandfather. If the strangers defile you,
I may not kiss you again.’ Benra greets you, and my son-
in-law sends you word that Psamtik, the crown prince, and
Petammon, the oculist, your old rival, were alone to blame
for this accursed crime. As I would not trust myself to
the Typhonian sea, I first journeyed with a caravan of
Arabian merchants as far as Thadmor, the palm-covered
oasis of the Phoenicians, and thence with Sidonian mer-
chants as far as Carchemis, on the Euphrates, where the
road that leads from Phoenicia to Babylon joins that which
leads hither from Sardis. Worn-out with fatigue, I sat
in the little wood by the station-house, when a stranger
arrived, travelling with royal posthorses. I at once re-
cognized him, as the former commander of the G-reek
mercenaries.”

“ And I,” interrupted Phanes, “ at once recognized you,
old man, the tallest and most quarrelsome man I ever met.
Pve laughed at you hundreds of times, when you scolded
the children who ran after you whenever you followed your
master through the streets, with your medicine chest under
your arm. I remember a jest which the king once made
at your expense, according to his wont. When yon both
passed one day, he said : “ The old man seems to me like a
furious owl surrounded by teasing little birds, and Neben-
chari is said to have a bad-tempered wife, who would like
to scratch out his eyes as a reward for all the eyes to which
he has restored sight.”

OLD HIB.

311

“ What spiteful words ! ” cried tlie old man, breaking out
into curses.

The oculist had listened in thoughtful silence to his ser-
vant’s story. From time to time he changed colour.
When he heard that his manuscripts, the result of so many
nights of toil, had been destroyed by the order of his com-
panions in rank and the king, he clenched his fist, and
shivered as though he had suddenly grown cold. No move-
ment of the Egyptian escaped the Greek. He knew human
nature, and knew that very often a word of scorn wounds
an ambitious man more deeply than a great insult. For
this reason he repeated the thoughtless words which Amasis
had really uttered, following out his jesting bent. He had
calculated rightly, for he saw that during his last words,
Neben chari crushed with his open hand a rose that lay on
the table beside him. Phanes suppressed a pleased smile,
looked down, and continued : “ Now we will quickly end
the story of good Hib’s adventures on the road. I invited
him to share my carriage. At first he refused to sit
on the same cushion with such an accursed stranger as
myself, but finally he consented, and at the last station
he had an opportunity of showing, by his treatment of
the brother of the chief priest, Oropastes, what he had
learnt from you and your father, and reached Babylon
in safety, where I provided him with a refuge in the
royal palace, because we could not see you, on account of
the sad illness of your countrywoman. You know the
rest.”

Nebenchari nodded assent, and with a grave gesture
bade Hib leave the room.

The old man obeyed, grumbling and scolding in a low
voice. When he had shut the door behind him, the oculist
approached the warrior, and said : “ I fear, Greek, that in
spite of everything, we cannot become allies.”

“Why not? ”

“ Because I think that your vengeance will be too mild
compared with the vengeance I must inflict.”

“ You need fear nothing in that respect,” returned the
Athenian. u May I call you my ally? ”

“ On one condition.”

“ Let me hear it.”

312

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

“ You must procure me an opportunity of seeing the
result of our vengeance with my own eyes.”

“ That is to say, you wish to accompany the army when
Cambyses goes to Egypt ? ”

“Yes ; and when my foes languish in shame and misery,
I wish to say to them : ‘ You cowards, you owe this misfor-
tune to the poor exiled oculist.’ Oh, my books, my books 1
They replaced the wife and children I had lost. Hundreds
were to learn from them to restore sight to the blind, and
to preserve for those who could see the sweetest gift of the
gods, the power of sight, the seat of light, the seeing eye.
How my books are destroyed, I have lived in vain. With
my books those miserable men have burnt me. Oh, my
books, my books ! ” Uttering these words the unhappy
man sobbed aloud with agony.

Phanes approached, took his hand, and said: “ The
Egyptians have injured you, my friend, they have ill-treated
me. They crept into your barn like thieves ; incendiaries
burned my home. Do you know what they did to me ?
They had a right to exile and persecute me, my life was
forfeited according to their laws. As far as I am con-
cerned, I could have forgiven them, for I clung to Amasis
as a friend clings to a friend. The wretch knew it, and
yet he consented to that incredible deed. Oh, my brain
refuses to think the horrible thought. Like wolves they
entered the house of a defenceless woman at night, and
carried off my children, a girl and a boy, the pride, the
joy, the consolation of my homeless life. What did they
do ? They kept the girl a prisoner, as they said, to prevent
my betraying Egypt to the stranger; but the boy, the
image of beauty and goodness, my only son, was murdered
by order of Psamtik, the crown prince, perhaps with
Amasis’ consent. My heart had withered in misery and
exile, now I feel that it revives and throbs joyously with
the hope of revenge.”

Hebenchari looked sombrely at the flashing eyes of the
Athenian, and giving him his hand, said : “ We are
allies.”

The Greek seized the oculist’s right hand, and returned ;
“ How, first of all, we must win the king’s favour.”

“ I will restore Cassandane’s sight.”

OLD HIB.

813

44 You can do it ? 99

44 The operation which, restored Amasis’ sight is my in-
vention. Petammon stole it from my burnt manuscripts.”

44 Why did you not show your skill before P ”

44 Because I am not accustomed to give presents to my
foes.”

Phanes shuddered slightly at these words, but recovered
quickly, and said : 44 1 too am certain of the king's favour.
The ambassadors of the Massagetae, returned home this
morning. Peace has been granted them and — ”

At this moment the door was flung open, and one of
Cassandane’s eunuchs rushed in breathless and cried:
44 My mistress Nitetis is dying. Quick, quick! rise and
follow me ! ”

Nebenchari nodded to his ally, put on his sandals, and
followed the eunuch to the couch of the dying princess.

CHAPTER XXIV.

THE DEATH OF NTTETIS.

T HE sun was already trying to find a way through the
heavy curtains which closed the window of the "Egyp-
tian's room, and Nebencliari was still sitting beside her.
How he felt her pulse and rubbed her brow and chest with
scented ointments, then he stared dreamily before him.
After an attack of convulsions, the sick girl seemed to
have fallen fast asleep. Six Persian physicians stood
at the foot of the bed murmuring conjurations, while
Hebenchari sat at liis patient's head and gave di-
rections to the Asiatics, who acknowledged his superior
skill.

Whenever the Egyptian felt his patient's pulse he
shrugged his shoulders, a movement which was each time
unanimously imitated by his Persian colleagues. Prom
time to time the curtains of the room were opened, and
the head of a beautiful girl appeared, whose blue eyes
gazed with an anxious, questioning look at the oculist, who
answered her with the same compassionate shrug. Twice
this inquirer, Atossa, the king’s sister, crept to the
couch of her sick friend, scarcely touching the heavy
woollen Milesian carpet with her feet, and breathed a soft
kiss on her brow, on which stood drops of perspiration, but
each time a stern, reproving glance from the Egyptian
drove her back to the next room.

Here lay Cassandane, awaiting the end, while Cambyses,
when the sun rose and Hitetis fell asleep, left the sick-
room, and accompanied by Pkanes, Prexaspes, Otanes,
Darius, and many courtiers who had been roused from their
slumbers, rode wildly through the park. He knew that he

THE DEATH OP NXTET1S. 315

could best subdue or forget bis emotion on tbe back of
an untamed steed.

When Nebenchari beard tbe sound of tbe boofs from
afar, be started. He dreamed, with open eyes, tbat tbe
king was marching to bis borne with an immense host of
horsemen, tbat be threw torches into tbe towns and temples,
and with mighty blows crushed tbe gigantic pyramids.
Women and children lay amid tbe ashes of the burnt
towns, tbe mummies of tbe dead moved in their graves
like living beings and lamented aloud, and all, priests,
warriors, women, children, dead and dying, called bis
name and cursed him, tbe betrayer of bis native land. A
cold shudder seized bis heart, which beat more convul-
sively than tbe pulse of tbe dying girl beside him. Again
tbe curtains of tbe next room moved ; again Atossa crept
in and laid her band on bis shoulder. He started and
woke. bTeben chari bad watched three days and three
nights without interruption beside tbat couch. It was,
therefore, no wonder tbat tbe exhausted man was haunted
by such dreams.

Atossa crept back to her mother. Perfect silence
reigned in tbe close sick-room. The Egyptian thought of
his dream. He told himself he was about to become a
traitor and a criminal. Again, all that he had seen in
sleep passed before him, but this time another image
forced its way in front of those dreadful faces. Neben-
chari saw himself beside the heavily-chained figure of
Amasis, who had exiled him and mocked him ; of Psamtik
and the priests who bad destroyed his works. His lips
moved softly. In this place be could not utter the relent-
less words, which in spirit he addressed to his foes who
sued for mercy. Then the hard man wiped away a tear.
The long nights passed before him during which he sat
with his style in his hand by the dim light of the lamp,
and wrote down his theories and experiences in the most
beautiful hieroglyphics, carefully drawing every character.
He had invented cures for many diseases of the eye, which
the sacred books of Thoth, and the writings of an old,
celebrated priest of Byblos called incurable. But he knew
his companions would have thought him criminal if he had
dared to attempt to improve on the sacred writings. He had

816

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

headed his work with the words : " Some new writings of
great Thoth, concerning the cure of the eye , 1 found by
Nebenchari the oculist/’ He meant to leave his work to
the library at Thebes, so that his experiences might be use-
ful to his successors, and bear fruit for all sufferers. He
wished to find recognition after death, while he sacrificed
sleep to science, and by his efforts gained fame for the
order to which he belonged. Now he saw his old rival, after
robbing him of his invention, the operation for cataract,
standing by the crown prince and stirring the destroying
fire. The red glow shone on their malicious faces, and their
mocking laugh rose to heaven with the flames and demanded
vengeance. Yonder the chief priest gave Amasis the letters
of his father. Scorn and mockery played round the king's
mouth, triumphant joy was in Neithotep's face. Neben-
chari was so lost in thought that one of the Persian
physicians was obliged to draw his attention to the fact
that the patient was awake. He nodded at him, pointing,
with a smile, to his weary eyes, felt the pulse of the
sufferer, and asked her in Egyptian : “ Have you slept
well? ”

“I do not know” answered the sick girl almost in-
audibly, “ I seemed to sleep, and yet I saw and heard all
that went on in the room. I felt so tired that I could not
distinguish between my dream and reality. Was not
Atossa here several times ? ”

“ Yes.”

“ And Cambyses was with Oassandane till sunrise, when
he went out, mounted his horse Eeksh, and rode into the
park.”

“ How do you know ? ”

“ I saw it.”

Nebenchari looked anxiously at the bright eyes of the
girl, who continued : “ Many dogs were led into the court
behind this house.”

“ The king, perhaps, wished to forget his grief at your
sufferings in hunting.”

“ Oh, no ! I know better. Oropastes told me that dogs

1 All sciences were ascribed to the ibis-headed god Toth, who is said
to have written six books on medicine. The Ebers Eapyrus contains »
complete work on various remedies.

THE DEATH OF NITETIS. 317

are brought to every dying Parsi, so that the div of death 1
may enter them.”

“ You are still alive and — ”

“ Oh, I know I shall die. Even if I had not seen how
you and the other physicians shrugged your shoulders,
whenever you looked at me, I should know that I had only
a few hours left. The poison is fatal.”

“ You speak too much, it will harm you.”

“Let me speak, Nebenchari. I must ask you some-
thing before I die.”

“ I am your servant.”

“No, Nebenchari, you must be my friend, my priest.
You will not be angry any more because I prayed to the
Persian gods. Our Hathor was still my best friend. Yes ;
I see you forgive me. But now you must promise that
you will not let my body be tom by dogs and vultures.
0, the thought is too dreadful. You will embalm my
body and adorn it with amulets, will you not ? ”

“ If the king permits it.”

“ O certainly. How could Cambyses refuse to grant my
last wish ! ”

“ My art is at your service.”

“ Thank you, but I have another request to make.”

“ Be brief. My Persian colleagues sign to me to com-
mand you to be silent.”

“ Cannot you send them away for a minute ? ”

“I will try”

Nebenchari approached the magi. He spoke with them
for a few minutes, after which they left the room. He
pretended that he wished to undertake a solemn conjura-
tion at which none might be present, and try a new secret
antidote.

When they were alone, Nitetis sighed deeply and said :
“ Now give me your priestly blessing for my long journey
to the Nether World, and prepare me for my wanderings
to Osiris.”

1 As soon as a Persian died, the Druhhs Na^us, the impure demons
of death who brought destruction and putrefaction, rushed up in the
shape of a fly and seated themselves on the body and on one of those
present. Parsees still bring dogs to the dying, probably to induce the
spectre of death to enter these animals.

318

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

Nebenchari knelt down by her couch and murmured
low chants, which Nitetis answered reverently. The oculist
represented Osiris, the lord of the Nether World, Nitetis the
soul which justifies itself to him.

When the ceremonies were ended the sick girl breathed
more freely. Nebenchari looked at the youthful suicide
with some emotion. He was conscious that he had saved
this soul for the gods of his home and made easier the last
hours of a good mortal. At this moment he forgot his
bitterness in pure sympathy and sincere love for Ills kind,
but when he remembered that Amasis had caused the mis-
fortunes of this lovely creature, sombre thoughts darkened
his soul. Nitetis, who had lain for a time in silence,
turned to her new friend with a gentle smile, and said:
“Now I shall find favour before the judges of the dead, is
pt it not so ? ”

44 1 hope and believe so.’ 5

“Perhaps I shall find Tachot by Osiris’ throne and my
father.”

“ Your father and mother await you. In your last hour,
bless those who bore you, and curse those who robbed you
of parents, throne, and life.”

“ I do not understand you.”

“ Ourse those who robbed you of parents, throne, and
life,” cried the oculist again, drawing himself up, and
looking down at the dying girl, while he drew a deep
breath. “ Curse the evil ones, maiden, for this curse will
bring you greater mercy before the judges of the dead
than thousands of good works.” The oculist seized the
sick girl’s hand as he spoke, and pressed it with force.

Nitetis looked with fear at the angry man, and whispered
in blind obedience : " I curse them.”

“ Curse those who robbed your parents of throne and
life”

“ Those who robbed my parents of throne and life. O
my heart, my heart I ”

She sank back exhausted.

Nebenchari bent over her, and before the king’s phy-
sicians entered he pressed a soft kiss on the brow of the
dying girl, and murmured : “ She dies my ally. The gods
hear the curses of dying innocence. I shall bear the

THE DEATH OF NITETIS.

339

sword into Egypt, not only as my own avenger, but as the
avenger of King Hophra.”

A few hours later Nitetis again opened her eyes. This
time her cold right hand was held by Cassandane.
At her feet knelt Atossa, Croesus stood at the head
of the bed, supporting the king, who swayed to and
fro like a drunken man. The dying girl looked round
with bright glances. She was indescribably beautiful.
Cambyses approached the lips which were growing cold,
and pressed a kiss on them ; the first and last which he
plight give her. Two tears of joy fell from her dim eyes,
her pale lips murmured Cambyses’ name. She sank back
into Atossa’ s arms, and all was over.

We must pass over the next few hours, for we shrink
from describing how, at a sign from the chief Persian phy-
sician, all who were present, save Nebenehari and Croesus,
hastily left the room ; how dogs were brought into the
sick-room, and their heads turned towards the dead that
they might drive away the Drukhs Na^us ; how after
the maiden’s death, Cassandane, Atossa, and all the ser-
vants went to another house, so that they might not be
defiled by the body ; how all the fires were extinguished in
the old house, so that the pure element might be removed
from the defiling spirits of death ; how conjurations were
murmured; how, finally, all who approached the body
were obliged to undergo innumerable purifications by
means of water and the urine of cattle.

Towards evening Cambyses was again seized with epilep-
tic fits. Three days later, in accordance with Nitetis’ last
wish, he gave permission to Nebenehari to embalm the
body according to Egyptian custom. He gave way to un-
controlled grief — cut his arms, rent his garments, and
strewed ashes on his bed and couch ; all the nobles of the
court were obliged to follow his example. The guards
marched with torn flags and muffled drums. The cymbals
and kettledrums of the Immortals were wound round with
crape, the horses which Nitetis had used, and those which
were employed at court, were dyed blue and deprived of their
tails. All the court went about in dark brown, dresses, tom
to the waist, and the magi were obliged to pray incessantl

320

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

during tliree days and niglits for the departed maiden, whose
soul on the third night awaited its sentence for eternity
on the bridge Chinvat.

The ting, Cassandane, and Atossa, underwent the cere-
monies of purification, and repeated thirty prayers for
the dead as though for a near relation. bTebenchari began
to embalm the body in a house outside the gates, in
accordance with all the rules of art, and in the most costly
fashion.

For nine days Cambyses was in a state bordering on
insanity. Now furious, now indifferent and apathetic, he
would not allow even his relations and the chief priest to
approach him. On the morning of the tenth day he
summoned the chief of the seven judges, and ordered him
to pronounce the sentence of G-aumata, Oropastes’ brother,
as mercifully as possible, for on her death-bed Mtetis had
begged him to spare the life of the unhappy youth.

An hour later the sentence was brought him for ratifica-
tion. It ran as follows: “Victory to the king! When
Cambyses, the eye of the world, the sun of justice, in his
mercy, which is great as the heavens, inexhaustible as the
ocean,' commanded us to judge and punish the crime of
Gaumata, the son of the magus, not with the severity of a
judge, but with the leniency of a mother, we, the seven
judges of the realm, resolved to spare his forfeited life.
Because the youth’s thoughtlessness endangered the best
and highest in the land, and because we fear that his face
and figure, which the gods in their grace and mercy have
made wonderfully like the face and figure of Bart j a, son of
Cyrus, might be used by him to injure the pure and just,
we have resolved to mutilate him, so that it will be easy to
distinguish the un worthiest in the realm from the worthiest.
Therefore, with the consent and by order of the king,
G-aumata’ s ears shall be cut off, in honour of the just, and
to the shame of the impure.”

The king agreed to this sentence, which was carried out
the same day.

Oropastes did not dare to ask for mercy for his brother;
but the disgrace rankled more deeply in his ambitious soul
than if Gaumata had been condemned to death. He feared
his own influence would suffer through the mutilation of

THE DEATH OE NITETIS,

321

Ms brother, and he bade him leave Babylon, as soon as
possible, and go to a country-house wMch he possessed
on Mount Aracadris.

During the last few days a poorly-clad woman, whose face
was covered by a thick veil, had stood day and night near
the great entrance gate of the palace, and neither the threats
of the guards nor the coarse jesfcs of the royal servants
could drive her from her post. None of the lower officials
who went through the gate escaped her questioning — first
as to the Egyptian’s condition, then as to Gaumata. When
a communicative lamp-lighter told her, with a malicious
laugh, the sentence on the brother of the great chief priest,
she behaved like a maniac, and kissed the garment of the
astonished man, who thought her out of her mind, and
offered her alms. She refused them, and kept her post,
living on the provisions which people threw her out of
pity. When after three days, Gaumata, his head care-
fully bandaged, drove out of the palace court in a closed
harmamaxa, she hurried after the carriage, and ran beside
it, screaming, till the driver stopped his mules, and asked
what she wanted. She threw back her veil, and showed
the sick youth her pretty, blushing face.

Gaumata uttered a low cry when he recognized her ; then
he regained his composure, and asked: “What do you
want of me, Mandane r ”

The unhappy girl wrang her hands imploringly, and
cried : “ Oh, do not forsake me, Ganmata I Take me with
you. I forgive you all the misfortunes yon brought on my
poor mistress and me. I love you so, and would tend you
and care for you like your humblest servant.”

The youth struggled with himself for a moment. He
was about to open the door of the carriage, and clasp the
love of his childhood in his arms, when he heard the sound
of horses. He looked round, and saw a carriage full of
magi, who were going to the prayers at the palace, and he
recognized among them several of his former companions
from the school of priests. His shame awoke ; he feared
that he would be seen by those whom he, the brother of
the chief priest, had often treated with pride and arro-
gance. He threw Mandane a purse of gold which his
brother had given him at parting, and ordered the driver

T

322

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

to go on at full speed. The mules rushed on. Mandane
pushed the purse from her with her feet, ran after the
mules, and clung to the carriage. A wheel caught her
dress, and threw her down. With the strength of despera-
tion, she sprang up, overtook the mules which were obliged
to slacken speed, as the road was uphill, and caught the reins.
The driver used his three-thonged whip, the animals reared,
threw the girl down, and galloped on. Her cry of terror
pierced the wounds of the mutilated man like a lance.

The twelfth day after Hitetis’ death, Cambyses again
hunted. The chase, with its exertions, dangers, and excite-
ment, was to distract him. The nobles and dignitaries re-
ceived their ruler with loud acclamations, which he accepted
graciously. The few days of sorrow had changed the man,
who was unaccustomed to grief. His face was pale ; his
black hair had become white. The certainty of vic-
tory no longer shone in his eye. He had learnt amid
suffering that there was a stronger will than his ; that he
could destroy much, but that he could not preserve the
poorest life. Before they set out, Cambyses surveyed the
hunters, called Grobryas, and asked for Phanes.

“ My lord did not command — ”

“He is always to be my guest and my companion. Call
him, and follow us.”

G-obryas bowed, rode back to the palace, and in half an
hour joined the king’s suite with Phanes.

The Athenian received a pleasant greeting from many of
the huntsmen. This was all the more remarkable, because,
as a rule, no one is more jealous than a courtier, and no
one is so certain to arouse spite as the favourite of a
king. • Phanes seemed to be an exception to this rule. He
had met the Achaemenidse openly, boldly, and yet modestly,
and had been able to arouse great hopes by Ms hints of an
important war, which was inevitable, and had caused much
mirth by the clever way in wMch he told jests wMch were
as yet unknown to the Persians ; hence the Athenian was
greeted joyfully by almost all the hunters. When he
parted from them to follow a wild ass with the king, they
confessed to each other that they had never seen so
accomplished a man. The intelligence with wMch he

THE DEATH OP NITETIS.

323

had proved the innocence of the prisoners, the skill with
which he had won the king’s favour, the rapidity with
which he had acquired the Persian language were greatly
admired. ISTone of the Achcemenidse surpassed him in
beauty of form. In the chase he showed himself a perfect
horseman ; and when engaged in combat with a bear, he
proved himself an exceptionally skilled and bold hunter.
When they returned home, the courtiers lauded the quali-
ties of the new favourite ; but old Araspes cried : “ I am
willing to acknowledge that the Greek, who has also proved
his skill in war, is an exceptional person ; but you would
not praise him half as much if he were not a stranger,
and his character were not something wholly new to
you.”

Phanes heard these words, for he was quite near the
speaker, hidden by some thick bushes. When Araspes
ended, he joined the talkers, and said, smiling: “ I under-
stand you, and thank you for your kind feeling. The
second part of your speech pleased me almost as much as
the first, for it confirmed my own observation that you
Persians are the most generous of people, for yoxi are
almost readier to praise the virtues of others than your
own.”

All smiled, and were flattered. Phanes continued:
a How different are the Jews, for example. They think
they are the chosen people of God, and make them-
selves despicable to all wise men, and hateful to the world.
And the Egyptians ! You cannot imagine how absurd they
are. If the priests, who possess unexampled power, had
their own way, all strangers would be killed, and the whole
realm of Amasis rendered inaccessible to foreigners. A true
Egyptian would rather starve than eat out of the same dish
with us. Howhere will you find so much that is extra-
ordinary, remarkable, and astonishing as in Egypt, But
I must be just, and confess that Egypt is known to be the
richest and the best cultivated country in the world. The
owner of that kingdom need not envy the treasures of the
gods. And this beautiful Egypt is so easy to conquer. Ten
years’ experience made me acquainted with the existing
conditions, and I know that the whole military caste of
Amasis cannot withstand a host like your Immortals,

824

AN EGYPTIAN FBINCESS.

Well, who knows what the future may bring ! Perhaps we
shall all make an excursion to the Nile together. I think
your good swords have rested some time.”

These words, whose effect the Athenian had skilfully
calculated, were followed by loud cries of applause.

Cambyses heard the rejoicings of his retinue, turned
his horse, and asked for an explanation. Phanes answered
quickly that the Achsemenidse had shouted at the idea of
the possibility of an approaching war.

“ What war ? ” asked the king, smiling for the first time
for days.

“We are only speaking of general possibilities,” re-
turned Phanes carelessly. Then he guided his horse to
the king’s side, and spoke in a melodious voice that went
straight to the hearer’s heart, while he looked at the king
with sympathy : “ O, my lord, it is true that I was not
bom your subject in this fair land, and but a short time
has elapsed since I can boast of having made acquaintance
with the mightiest of rulers, but I cannot avoid the
thought, a blameable one, perhaps, that from my birth
the gods have destined me to become your friend. It was
not the great benefits you showered on me that drew me
towards you so quickly and irresistibly. I do not need
them, for I belong to the wealthy among my people, and
have no son, no heir, to inherit what I amass. Once I
called a boy my own, a fair, sweet child, but I did not
mean to tell you that. Are you angry at my boldness, oh
king? ”

“ How can I be ? ” answered the ruler, to whom no one
had ever yet spoken as the Athenian did, and who felt
greatly drawn to the remarkable stranger.

“ Till to-day I respected your sorrow too much to dis-
turb you, but now the time has come when you must be
tom from your grief, and your chilled heart must be filled
with new fire. You will hear things that will hurt you.”

“ There is nothing that can grieve me now.”

“ My words will rouse your anger, not your grief.”

“ You awaken my curiosity.”

“You have been shamefully deceived, you and that
lovely maiden who, a few days ago, fell a victim to a premai
ture death.”

THE DEATH OP NITETIS,

325

Cambyses* eyes flashed, and he looked inquiringly at the
Athenian.

“ King Amasis o£ Egypt dared to deceive you shame-
fully ; you, the mighty lord of the earth. That fair maiden
was not his daughter, though she herself thought she was
Amasis’ child, she — ”

“ Impossible ! ”

<( It seems so, and yet I speak the truth. Amasis has
woven a tissue of falsehood with wliich he has ensnared you,
O king, and all the world. KTitetis, the fairest being ever
bom of woman, was of royal blood, but not of the race of
Amasis, the usurper of crowns. No! Hophra, the true
king of Egypt, whom he overthrew, was the father of this
pearl. Erown, my lord, you have a right to do so, for it
is cruel to be deceived by friends and allies.”

Cambyses spurred his horse and cried, after Phanes had
been silent for a long time, in order to let his last words
produce a deeper effect : “ Gro on, I wish to know more.”

“ Hophra, the dethroned king , 1 had spent twenty years
in imprisonment at Sais, when his wife, who had given
birth to and buried three children, discovered that she
was pregnant. Hophra was happy, and wishing to thank
the gods for their favour, went to the temple of Pacht,
an Egyptian goddess to whom the gift of children is
ascribed, in order to sacrifice to her, when a former
noble of his court, Patarhemis, whom he had vshamefully
mutilated in unjust anger, attacked him with a number of
slaves, and murdered him. Amasis had the mourning
widow brought to his palace at once, and gave her
apartments next to those of Ladiee, his wife, who also ex-
pected her confinement. Hophra’ s widow died in giving
birth to a girl. Two days later Ladiee also gave birth to
a girl. But we have reached the court of the palace. If
you will allow me, I will have the account of the physician
who was present at the children’s birth, and helped to

1 According to Herod, ii. 169, Amasis treated his dethroned prede-
cessor very graciously, and allowed him to live till he was attacked and
hanged by Egyptians. We were obliged to make him survive his fall
twenty years for Nitetis’ sake in order to keep to the account in Herod,
iii. 1, which forms the basis of our story. Amasis would scarcely have
dared to offer the king of Persia a bride of forty.

82 6

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

accomplish the deceit, read to yon. Several notes of his
came into my possession by a wonderful stroke of fortune,
of which I will tell you another time. Onuphis, formerly
chief priest of Heliopolis in Egypt, lives here in Babylon,
and knows all the Egyptian methods of writing. Neben-
chari, the oculist, will, of course, refuse to help us to dis-
cover a deceit which will bring certain ruin on his native
land.”

“ I will await you with that man in an hour’s time ;
Croesus, Hebenchari, and the Achsemenidee, who were in
Egypt, must also be present ; I must have certainty before
I act. Your evidence is not enough, for I know from
Amasis himself that you have reason to be angry with his
house.”

At the appointed time all who had been summoned
appeared before the king. The former chief priest, Onuphis,
was an old man of eighty, whose head would have looked
like that of a skeleton,, save for the large grey eyes which
were bright and full of intelligence. He sat in an arm-
chair, even in the king’s presence, on account of his para-
lyzed limbs, and held a large papyrus scroll in his thin
hand. His dress was of pure white, as beseemed a priest,
but here and there patches and rents were visible. He
had probably been tall and slender in former days, bnt
age, want, and suffering had bowed and shrivelled his
figure, ao that he seemed of diminutive stature, and his
head looked much too large for his dwarfed body.

Nebenehari stood beside this strange man, and arranged
the cushions which supported his back. The oculist honoured
him not only as the chief priest, who was initiated into all
mysteries, but also as an old man. Phanes stood on his
left • beside him Darius, Croesus, and Prexaspes. The king
sat on his throne. His face was stem and gloomy when
he broke the silence, and said : “ The noble G-reek, whom I
feel inclined to consider my friend, has communicated
strange tidings to me. A masis, of Egypt, is said to have
deceived me shamefully. My late wife is said to have been,
not his daughter, but his predecessor’s.”

A murmur of astonishment was heard.

“ That old man has appeared to prove the deception.”

Onuphis made a gesture of assent.

THE DEATH OF NITETIS.

327

“ Mj first question is for you, Prexaspes, my ambas-
sador. Was Nitetis committed to your charge, expressly
as Amasis* daughter? ”

“ Expressly. It is true Nebenchari had praised her
twin sister, Tachot, to Cassandane as the fairer of the two
royal maidens, but Amasis insisted on sending Nitetis to
Persia. I supposed that he wished to lay you under a
special obligation by confiding his loveliest treasure to
your care, and did not continue the negotiations regarding
Tachot, because your late wife seemed to me to surpass
her sister in dignity and charm. Do you not remember
that in his letter to you he said he confided his fairest,
dearest child to you? ”

“ Yes, he wrote that.”

“ And Nitetis was certainly the fairer and nobler of the
two,” said Croesus ; “ but it seemed to me as if Tachot was
the favourite of the royal pair.”

“Yes,” added Darius. “Amasis once said in jest to
Bartja at the banquet: ‘Do not look too deeply into Tachot-’ s
eyes, for if you were a god I would not let you take her
to Persia/ Prince Psamtik was strangely irritated by
this remark, and cried to the king: ‘ Pather, remember
Phanes ! ’ ”

“ Phanes ? ”

“ Yes, my lord,” answered the Athenian. “ Amasis
once betrayed the secret to me, when he was intoxicated.
Psamtik warned him not to forget himself for the second
time.”

“ Let me hear how this happened.”

“When I returned victorious from Cyprus to Sais a
great festival was held at court. Amasis honoured mo
in every way, and, to the horror of his countrymen, em-
braced me because I had won a rich province for him.
The more intoxicated he became, the more eagerly he
appreciated what I had done. When Psamtik and I at
last led him to his dwelling, and we passed the apart-
ments of his daughters, he stopped and said : ‘ There the
girls sleep. If you will put away your wife, Athenian, I
will give you Nitetis for a wife. 1 should like you for my
son-in-law. There is a strange story connected with that
girl, Phanes. She is not my own child ! * Psamtik did

328

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

not allow the intoxicated king to proceed further ; he laid his
hand on his mouth, and roughly ordered me to my lodgings.
There I pondered upon what I had heard, and conjectured
what I now know for certain. I pray you, my lord, to
command this old man to translate those parts of the diary
of Imhotep, the physician, which refer to this affair.”

Cambyses nodded, and the old man read in a loud, full
voice, which no one would have expected to proceed from his
frail body : “ On the fifth day of the month Toth , 1 I was
summoned to the king. I expected this summons, as the
queen was in labour. With my help, she gave birth to a
weak girl. When the nurse had taken charge of it, Am asis
led me behind the curtain, which divided the bedroom of
his wife. There lay another baby, in which I recognized the
new-born child of the wife of Hophra, who had died under
my hands on the third day of Toth. The king pointed to
the baby and said : 4 This is an orphan, but as the law
says, we are to take charge of orphans, Ladice and I have
resolved to bring up this infant as if she were our own
daughter. But we wish to hide our deed from the world
and from the child. Therefore I beg of you to keep this
secret, and to spread abroad that Ladice has given birth
to twins. If you do as we wish, you shall receive five
thousand golden rings, and every year as long as you live,
one third of this sum/ I bowed in silence, ordered all
present to leave the room, then summoned them back, and
told them that Ladice had given birth to another daughter.
The real child of Amasis was called Tachot, the other
Nitetis.”

Cambyses sprang up at these words, and strode up and
down the hall. Onuphis continued without noticing him :
u On the sixth day of the month Thoth. When this morning
I lay down to rest a little from the exertions of the night,
a servant of the king appeared and brought me the pro-
mised money and a letter. I was commanded to provide
a dead child, which was to be buried with great pomp as
the dead child of Hophra. An hour ago, with great diffi-
culty I obtained what I wanted from a poor girl, who
had been secretly confined at the house of the old woman

1 Toth lasted horn Aug. 29 to Sept. 27.

THE DEATH OF NTTETIS.

329

who lives at the entrance of the necropolis. She would
not give up her dead darling who had caused her so much
grief and shame, and only consented when I promised that it
should be embalmed in the most costly fashion, and splen-
didly buried. In my great medicine chest, which my son
Nebenchari was obliged to carry this time, instead of my
servant Hib, we took the little body into the room of
Hophra’s wife. The poor girl’s child will be splendidly
buried. I wish I might tell her what a beautiful fate
awaits her darling after death. Nebenchari was just now
summoned to the king.”

When this name was pronounced for the second time,
Cambyses stopped and asked : “ Is Nebenchari, out oculist,
the man who is mentioned in this document ? ”

“Nebenchari,” returned Phanes, “is the son of that
Imhotep who changed the children.”

The oculist looked down frowning darkly.

Cambyses took the papyrus scroll from Onuphis, ex-
amined it, shook his head, approached the oculist, and said :
“ Look at these characters, and tell me whether your f ether
wrote them ? ”

Nebenchari fell on his knees, and raised his hands.

“ I ask you, did your father write these characters ? ”

“ I do not know whether — indeed — ”

“ I want to know the truth, yes or no ? ”

“Yes my king, but — ”

“ Rise, and rest assured of my favour. It is right for
the subject to be loyal to his ruler, but do not forget that
now you must call me your king. Cassandane sent me word
that you meant to restore her sight to-morrow by means
of an operation. Are you not undertaking too much ? ”

“ My lord, I am certain of my skill.”

“ One thing more. You knew of this deception ? ”

“ Yes, my prince.”

“ You allowed me to be deceived? ”

“I had been forced to swear to Amasis to keep the
secret, and an oath — ”

“An oath is sacred. Gobryas, see that both these
Egyptians receive a portion from my table. You seem to
need better nourishment, old man ? ”

“ I need nothing but air to breathe, a crumb of bread, a

330

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

drop of water, in order not to die of hunger and thirst, a
clean dress to be pleasant to the gods and myself, and a
little room of my own, in order to be in no one’s way. I
was never richer than to-day.”

“ How so P ”

“ I am about to give away a kingdom.”

“ You speak in riddles.”

“My translation has proved that your late wife was
Hophra’s child. According to our laws of inheritance, the
daughters of kings have a perfectly legal claim to the
throne when there are no sons or brothers. If she dies
childless, her husband is her legal heir. Amasis seized
the throne, but Hophra and his descendants have hereditary
claims on the royal power. Psamtik loses his right to
the throne as soon as a brother, son, daughter, or son-in-
law of Hophra appears. Therefore in you, my king, I
salute the future lord of my beautiful country.”

Cambyses smiled, well pleased, and Onuphis continued :
“ 1 have read in the stars that Psamtik will perish, and
that the crown of Egypt is reserved for you.”

“ The stars shall be right,” cried Cambyses. “ Put you,
generous old man, I command you to express a wish.”

“Let me accompany your army in a chariot. I yearn
to die by the Nile.”

“ Be it so. How leave me, friends. See that all com-
panions of the table appear at the feast. We will hold a
council of war over the wine. A campaign in Egypt
seems to me more desirable than a war with the
Massagetae.”

“Victory to the king!” cried all full of joy, and they
went away, while Cambyses summoned his attendants, and
for the first time exchanged his mourning garments for
his splendid royal robes.

Croesus and Phanes went together to the garden on the
east side of the palace. It was full of plantations of trees
and shrubs, of fountains, and fiower-beds. The Athenian
was radiant with delight, while the dethroned king looked
down full of anxiety.

“ Have you considered, G-reek,” he asked, “ what a
brand you have just cast into the world ? ”

THE HEATH OE NITETIS.

831

“ Children and fools act without thought.”

“ You forget those who are misled by their passions.”

“I am not one of those.”

“ And yet vengeance breeds the most terrible passions.”

“Only when it is exercised in blind excitement. My
vengeance is cold as iron, but I know my duty.”

“ The first duty of the virtuous is to subject his welfare
to that of his country.”

“ I know it.”

“But you forget that with Egypt you have delivered
your G-reek home to the Persians ? ”

“ I do not think so.”

“Do you believe that Persia will not attack beautiful
G-reece, when all the other coasts of the Mediterranean
belong to her ? ”

“ No ; but I know my Greek countrymen, and believe
that they will victoriously resist all barbarian troops, and if
danger approach, will become greater than ever. Necessity
will join our disconnected races, make us one great, united
race, and overthrow the thrones of tyrants.”

“ Those are dreams.”

“ Which will become reality as surely as I hope to cany
out my revenge.”

“ I cannot argue with you, for I am not acquainted with
the circumstances. But I think you are a wise man, who
loves what is good and beautiful, and reflects with too
much sense of justice to wish to ruin a whole nation
merely to satisfy his ambition. It is terrible that fate
punishes whole nations for the fault of an individual if he
chance to wear a crown. Now tell me, if you care at all
for my opinion, what wrong has caused such an intense long
ing for revenge ? ”

“ Listen, and never again try to turn me from my pur-
pose. You know the crown prince of Egypt. You know
Bhodopis. The former for many reasons was my mortal
enemy, the latter the friend of all Greeks, but more espe-
cially mine. When I was about to leave Egypt, Psamtik
threatened me with his vengeance. Your son Gyges saved
me from death. A few weeks later my children came to
Nancratis to follow me from there to Sigeum. Bhodopis
sheltered them. A miserable wretch discovered the secret.

332

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

and betrayed it to tlie prince. On the following night the
house of the Thracian was surrounded and searched. My
children were found. Amasis had meanwhile become blind,
and allowed his wretched son to do as he pleased. He did
not shrink — my only son — ”

“ He had him killed P ”

“ Yes ! ”

“ And the other child ? ”

“ The girl is still in his power.”
u But they will kill the poor child when they hear — ”

“ Let her die. Better be childless, than go to the grave
without revenge.* *

“ I understand your feelings and cannot blame you.
Your son must be avenged.’*

With these words the old man pressed the Athenian’s
hand, and when the latter had dried his tears and sub-
dued his emotion, he cried : “ Now come to the council.
No one should be more grateful to Psamtik for his crimes
than Cambyses. This man of quick passions is not fit to
be a prince of peace.**

“ And yet it seems to me the highest task of a king to
work for the happiness of his realm at home. But men
are all alike, and praise their butchers more than their
benefactors. How many songs resound in praise of
Achilles, but who would think of praising the wise rule of
Pittacus in songs ? ”

“ More courage is needed to shed blood than to plant
trees.**

“ But more goodness and wisdom to heal wounds than
to inflict them. But before we enter the hall I must
ask an important question. Can Bart j a remain without
danger at Naucratis when Amasis hears of the king’s
intentions ? ”

“ No ; but I have warned him, and advised him to go dis-
guised, and under an assumed name.”

“ Did he seem to agree ? **

“ I think he intended to follow my advice.”

“ It would, at all events, be well to send a messenger to
warn him.”

“ We will ask the king to do so.”

THE DEATH OF HITETIS.

333

“Now come. The waggons are already driving from
the kitchen with the banquet for the court.”

“ How many mouths does the king feed daily ? ”

“ About fifteen thousand.”

“Then the Persians should thank the gods that their
king is accustomed to dine only once a day.”

CHAPTEE XXV.
bartja’s illness.

S IX weeks after the occurrence of these events a small
troop of horsemen rode towards the gates of Sardes.
Horses and riders were covered with dust and perspiration.
The horses guessed that the town with its stables and
mangers was at hand, and put forth what strength re-
mained to them, but they seemed to gallop far too slowly
to please the two impatient men at the head of the troop.
The well-kept royal road, which leads over the Tmolus
mountains, was surrounded by fertile, black mould and
trees of various kinds, groves of olives, lemons, and plan-
tains, mulberry plantations and vineyards stretched at the
foot of the mountain, while higher up grew woods of pine,
cypress, and walnut trees. Pig- trees and date palms, laden
with fruit, grew in the fields. Gay, sweet-scented flowers
were in the grass of the meadows and the woods. Now
and then a carefully enclosed well, with seats and shady
bushes, was seen by the side of the road, which led over
ravines and brooks, half dried up by the summer heat.
The oleanders flowered in damp, sunny places, and where-
ever the sun blazed hottest, slender palms waved to and
fro. The sky that stretched over the luxuriant landscape
was cloudless and deep blue. The view was bounded
towards the south by the Tmolus, whose summits were
covered with snow in spring and winter, and towards the
west by the Sipylus mountains, which gleamed blue in the
distance.

The road led down-hill past a little beechwood ; round
the stems of the trees twined vines laden with fruit. The
riders stopped at a bend in the road, from which they
could command a view of the scene. The capital of the

baetja’s illness.

835

former Lydian kingdom, Crcesus 5 residence, golden Sardes
lay before them in the far-famed Hermus valley.

A steep black rock, on the summit of which stood white
marble buildings visible a long way off, the citadel, round
whose triple walls King Meles, many centuries ago, carried a
lion, in order to make the place impregnable, rose above the
thatched roofs of the numerous houses of the town. Towards
the south the descent was less steep, and covered with
houses. North of the acropolis stood the former palace of
Croesus, close to the Pactolus, which brought down the
golden sands. Across the market-place, which seemed to the
astonished travellers like a barren spot in the midst of a
blooming meadow, rushed the reddish stream, which entered
a narrow valley towards the west, and then washed the
foot of the great temple of Cybele.

Large gardens stretched towards the east, in the midst
of which gleamed the clear lake of G-yges. Gay pleasure
boats, accompanied by snow-white swans, covered its sur-
face. About a mile from the waters rose several hills, the
work of man ; three were especially conspicuous, owing to
their height and size . 1

“ What is the meaning of those peculiar earth mounds ? ”
said Darius, the leader of the troop, to Prexaspes, Cambyses’
ambassador, who rode by his side.

“They are the graves of former kings of Lydia,” he
answered. “ The largest of them, the one on the left, not
the middle one, which is dedicated to a royal pair, Panthea
and Abradat', is the grave of Alyattes, the father of Croesus.
The merchants, artificers, and prostitutes of Sardes raised
it to their dead king. On the five columns, which stand
on the summit, you can read how much each party accom-
plished. The girls were the most industrious. Gyges’
grandfather is said to have been their special friend.”

“ His grandson is not like him, then ? ”

“It is all the more remarkable, because in his youth
Croesus was by no means an enemy of women, and the
Lydians are devoted to the pleasures of love. Tender, in
the valley of the Pactolus, not far from the large gold

1 Herod, i. 93, says these tombs were the greatest achievement of
human hands next to the Egyptian and Babylonian buildings. They
may still be seen near the ruins of Sardes.

336

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

washing, stands the temple of the goddess of Sardes, who
is called Cybele or Ma. Yon can see the white walfe
gleam through the grove which surrounds it. There are
many shady places there where the young people of Sardes
unite in sweet love in honour of the goddess, as they
say.”

“ Just as at Babylon, at the feast of Melitta.”

“ On the shores of Cyprus the same custom prevails-
When I landed there on my return from Egypt, a crowd
of most lovely maidens received me with sweet songs, and
led me, dancing and playing the cymbals, to the grove of
their goddess. I was obliged to give a few pieces of gold,
and the most beautiful girl imaginable led me into a per-
fumed tent of purple material, where a couch of rose and
lily leaves awaited us.”

“Zopyrus will not be vexed at Bartja’s illness. He
will remain longer in the grove of Cybele than by the
sufferer’s side. I look forward to seeing the gay fellow
again.”

“ He will not let you give way to the melancholy which
so often overcomes you now.”

“ I will conquer it, though there is a cause for the mood,
which you are right to blame. Croesus says men are only
out of temper when they are too idle or too weak to fight
against the discordant feeling. Our friend is right. Ho
one shall accuse Darius of weakness or idleness. If I
cannot rule the world, I will at least be master of myself.”

With these words the handsome youth drew himself up
to his full height. His companion looked at him with sur-
prise, and cried : “ Truly, son of Hystaspes, I think you
are destined for great things. The gods had a purpose in
sending that dream to their favourite, Cyrus, when you
were a boy, which made him order your father to keep you
in safe custody.”

“ And yet my wings have not grown.”

“ Hot from your body, but from your mind Boy, boy,
you tread a dangerous path.”

“ Heed he who has wings fear the abyss ? ”

“ Yes, when his strength fails.”

“ But I am strong.”

“ Stronger beings will try to break your wings.”

BARTJA-’S ILLNESS.

837

“ Let them come. I know that I desire only what, is
right, and I trust in my star.”

“ Do you lmow its name ? ”

“ It ruled the hour of my birth, and is called Anahita.” 1

“ I think I know it better. Burning ambition is the
sun whose rays direct your actions. Youth, beware ! I, too,
once trod that path which leads to fame or to disgraco, but
very rarely to true happiness. The ambitious man is like a
thirsty man who drinks salt water. The more distinction
he obtains the greedier he becomes for fame and greatness.
I rose from a common soldier to be Cambyses’ ambassador.
What is there left for you to strive for, since except Cyrus’
children there is none greater than you. But if my eyes
do not deceive me, Zopyrus and Gyges are at the head of
those horsemen who are coming towards us from the town.
The angare who left the inn before us must have announced
our approach.”

“ Yes, it is they.”

“ It is. Look how bold Zopyrus waves the palm branch
he has just broken oh.”

“ Men, cut a couple of branches quickly from this bush.
That’s right. Let us answer the green palm with the red
pomegranate.”

A few minutes later Darius and Prexaspes embi*aced
their friends. Then the united troops rode through the
gardens surrounding the lake, the recreation ground of
the inhabitants of Sardes, into the populous town. The
citizens were streaming towards the gates to be in the fresh
air now that the sun began to set and cool breezes to blow.
Lydian warriors, with richly decorated helmets, and Persian
soldiers with tiaras shaped like cylinders, followed painted
girls with garlands on their heads. Nurses led children
to the lake, so that they might feed the swans. Under a
plantain sat a blind old minstrel, who sang melancholy
songs to his large audience, and accompanied himself on
the twenty-stringed Lydian lute. Youths, who played at
ninepins and dice, enjoyed themselves in the open air, and
half-grown girls cried out when the ball of a companion
hit them or fell by accident into the lake.

1 The planet Venus,

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

The Persian arrivals scarcely noticed this gay scene,
which at another time would have delighted them. Their
whole attention was given to their friends, who told them
of Bart j a, and the illness from which he was recovering.

Orcetes, the satrap of Sardes, a stately man in gorgeous
court dress, whose small and piercing black eyes gleamed
beneath bushy brows which met, came to receive them at
the brazen gates of the palace which Croesus had inhabited
before him. The satrapy which he governed was one of
the most important and wealthiest in the kingdom. His
court resembled that of Cambyses in splendour, though
he had fewer servants and wives than the king. Still,
a large number of slaves, body-guards, eunuchs, and richly
dressed officials came to meet the travellers at the palace
gates.

The dwelling of the governor, which was still magnificent,
had been one of the most splendid of palaces when Croesus
inhabited it. When Sardes was taken the Persian con-
queror carried the treasures of the dethroned king to
Cyrus’ treasury at Pasargada, and the finest works of art
were destroyed by rude hands. Since those days of
terror, the Lydians had brought forth many hidden
treasures, and a few years of peace during the reigns of
Cyrus and Cambyses had enabled them, by great industry,
to recover so much of their prosperity that Sardes was
looked on as one of the wealthiest towns of Asia Minor,
and, consequently, of the world.

Though Darius and Prexaspes were accustomed to the
splendour of the royal court, they were astonished at the
beauty and magnificence of the satrap’s house. The marble
seemed to them especially valuable, for it was not found at
Babylon, Susa, or Ecbatana. There burnt bricks and cedar
wood had to take the place of the smooth blocks of limestone.

In the great hall, the arrivals found Bart j a, who stretched
his arms towards them from the cushions on which he
lay.

After the reunited friends had feasted at the satrap’s
table, they went to the room of the invalid, in order to
talk without interruption. When they had settled there,
Darius turned to Bart j a, and said : “How you must first
tell me how you became ill,”

bartja’s illness.

339

“We left Babylon in good health, as you know,”
answered the prince, “ and reached Germa, a small town
on the Sangarius, without hindrance. Dusty, wearied by
the fatiguing ride, and parched by the sun of Chord at/
we dismounted, undressed, and sprang into the waves
of the clear, bright stream which flowed past the station
as though inviting us to a bath. Gyges reproved us
for our imprudence, but we trusted to our hardened
bodies, scorned his warnings, and swam joyously in
the green water. Calm as usual, Gyges let us do as
we pleased, undressed when we had finished, and also
bathed.

“Two hours later we remounted, and galloped on as
though on a matter of life and death, changed horses at
every station, and turned day into night.

“ Near Ipsus I felt a violent headache and pains in my
limbs, but I was ashamed to confess my sufferings, and
kept up till we prepared to mount fresh horses at. Bagis.
As I was about to spring into the saddle, my strength and
senses left me, and I fell unconscious on the ground.”

“We were finely frightened when you broke down,”
interrupted Zopyrus. “ It was, indeed, lucky that Gyges
was with me. I lost my head completely; he kept his
presence of mind, and after he had expressed his feelings
in a few words, which were not exactly complimentary, lie
behaved like a prudent general. The fool of a doctor wli- *
hurried up, declared that Bartja was lost ; but I gave him
a good thrashing.”

“ Which he did not mind,” laughed the satrap, “ as you
ordered your servants to lay a gold stater on every
bruise.”

“ My love of fighting has cost me much money already ;
but to continue. Bartja had scarcely opened his eyes when
Gyges ordered me to ride to Sardes, and fetch a good
doctor and a comfortable carriage. No one will find it easy
to imitate my ride. A few miles from the town my third
horse broke down from fatigue. I ran as hard as I could
towards the gates. The people must have thought m©
mad. I pulled the first rider I met — a merchant from

1 May.

340

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

Celaense — from his horse without any ado, mounted, and
before dawn I returned to our invalid with the best doctor
in Sardes, and Oroetes’ best carriage. We drove him
slowly to this house, where he was seized by a violent
fever, talked as much nonsense as it is possible for a
human brain to conceive, was delirious, and caused us
such cruel anguish that the perspiration stands on my
brow when I think of it ! ”

Bart j a seized his friend’s hand, and said, turning to
Darius : “ I owe my life to him and Gyges. They did not
leave me for a minute till they rode to meet you, and nursed
me as a mother nurses her sick child. I am indebted to
you, too, Orcetes, all the more, because your kindness caused
you some annoyance.”

“ How is that possible ? ” asked Darius.

“ Polycrates of Samos, whose name was so often men-
tioned in Egypt, has the most celebrated physician of
Greece at his court. When I was ill at Oroetes’ house, he
wrote to Democedes, and offered him large sums of money
if he would come at once to Sardes. Samian pirates, who
render the whole Ionic coast insecure, captured the mes-
senger, and took the letter of Oroetes to their master. Poly-
crates. He opened it, and sent the messenger back with
the message that Democedes was in his pay. If Oroetes
wished for his services, he must apply to Polycrates. Our
noble friend humbled himself for my sake, gave way to
the Samian, and begged him to send his physician to
Sardes.”

“ And Polycrates F ” asked Prexaspes.

“ The haughty island king at once sent his physician,
who, as you see, soon restored me to health, and left Sardes
a few days ago laden with gifts.”

“ I can understand,” interrupted Zopyrus, “why the
Samian does not like to let his physician leave him. I
assure you, Darius, he has not his equal. He is beautiful as
Minutsher, clever as Piran Wisa, strong as Eustem, and
helpful as the holy soma. You should have seen how he
threw the metal quoits. I am not weak, but after we
had wrestled for a few minutes he threw me ; and he can
tell stories which make your heart leap for joy.”

** We have become acquainted with a similar man,” said

BABTJA*S ILLNESS.

841

Darius, smiling at his friend’s enthusiasm. “ Phanes, the
Athenian, who came to establish our innocence.”

“ Democedes, the physician, comes from Croton, a place
which must be near the setting sun.”

“ And which,” added Oroetes, “ like Athens, is inhabited
by Greeks. Beware of these people, my young friends, for
they are as cunning, false, and deceitful as they are strong,
clever, and handsome.”

“ Democedes is noble, and loves the truth,” cried
Zopyrus.

“ Phanes,” declared Darius, “ is considered by Croesus
himself as virtuous as he is worthy.”

** And Sappho,” said Bart j a, in confirmation, ** always
spoke in praise of the Athenian. We had better not talk
of the Greeks, whom Oroetes does not like, as they are
rebellious, and cause him much trouble.”

“ The gods know that,” sighed the satrap. " It is more
difficult to control one Greek city than all the lands between
the Euphrates and the Tigris.”

During the satrap’s speech Zopyrus had gone to the
window. He now interrupted the speaker, saying : u The
stars are already high in the heavens, and Bartja needs
rest. Hasten, therefore, Darius, and tell us the news from
home.”

Hystaspes’ son nodded assent, and began the history of
the events with which we are already acquainted. Nitetis'
death awakened sincere sympathy in Bartja, and the ex-
posure of Amasis’ deceit filled all with surprise and dismay.

“ After the real descent of the maiden had been esta-
blished without a doubt,” continued the narrator, after
a short pause, “Cambyses seemed quite changed. He
summoned us all to a council of war, and at table ho again
wore royal robes instead of his mourning garments. You
can imagine with what joy all received the proposal of war
with Egypt. Not even Croesus, who wishes Amasis well,
aud usually advises peace whenever he can, had an objec-
tion to make. Next morning as usual we considered
soberly what we had decided when intoxicated. After
various suggestions had been made, Phanes asked permis-
sion to speak, and addressed us for an hour. But how he
can speak ! It was as if the gods had inspired him with

342

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

each word. He has learned our language in an incredibly
short time ; it flowed like honey from his lips, and now called
forth scalding tears, now loud shouts of joy and wild out-
bursts of rage, from all. Every gesture was graceful as that
of a dancing girl, and yet manly and dignified. I cannot
repeat his speech, for compared with his words, mine would
sound like the roll of drums compared with thunder.
When, beside ourselves with enthusiasm we unanimously
declared for war, Phanes spoke again, and told us how we
could most easily gain the victory.”

Here Darius was obliged to stop, for Zopyrus embraced
him with exclamations of joy. Bartja, Gyges, and Oroetes
the satrap, received the news with delight, and urged the
narrator to hasten on with his story.

“ In the month of Farwardin,” 1 continued the youth,
“ our army must be on the borders of Egypt, because in
Murdad 2 * * * * the Hile begins to rise, and threatens to prevent
the advance of the infantry. The Greek, Phanes, is now
on his way to the Arabs, to form an alliance with them.
The sons of the desert are to provide our army with water
and leaders in their arid deserts. Then he intends to gain
over wealthy Cyprus, which he once conquered for Amasis.
The kings of this island kept their crowns through his
mediation, and will follow his advice. The Athenian lo6ks
after everything, and knows the way as though, like the
sun, he could overlook the whole universe. He showed us
a picture of all countries on a copper plate.”

Oroetes nodded, and said : “I, too, possess such a
picture of the world. Hecatseus, a Milesian, 8 who is con-
stantly travelling, drew it and gave it to me in return for
a passport.”

“What wonderful things these Greeks invent,” cried
Zopyrus, who could not imagine what a picture of the world
would look like.

“To-morrow I will show you my copper plate,” said

1 March. a April.

a Hecatseus improved Anaximander’s map, and wrote a history of the

world, which the ancients considered the best of its kind. Unfortunately

fragments only are extant. He was bom in 550 b.c. The oldest

known map is an Egyptian one of the gold mines, which is in the

Egyptian Museum at Turin.

bartja’s illness. 343

Oroetes. “ But now we must not interrupt Darius
again.”

“ Plianes went to Arabia,” continued Darius, ‘‘while
Prexaspes departed in order to command you, Oroetes, to
collect as many soldiers as possible, esj)ecially lonians and
Carians, whom the Athenian will undertake to lead, and
also to offer our alliance to Poly crates.”

“ An alliance with that pirate ? ” asked Oroetes, frowning.

“ Yes,” said Prexaspes, intentionally disregarding Oroetes’
angry look, “Plianes has already received promises from
the lord of so many beautiful ships, and thus my mission
seems to promise a successful issue.”

“ The Phoenician, Syrian, and Ionian warships would
s uffi ce to overpower the Egyptian fleet,” returned Oroetes.

“ Certainly, but if Polycrates declared against us, we
could scarcely remain masters of the sea. You yourself
said that in the JUgcean Sea he ruled at will.”

“ Nevertheless, I do not approve of an alliance with that
pirate,”

“We must first of all seek strong allies, and Poly crates’
navy is very powerful. When we have seized Egypt with
his help, the time will have come to .humble his insolence.
Meanwhile I must ask you to control your anger, and
only to think of the success of our great enterprise. I
utter these words in the name of the king, whose ring I wear,
and am commanded to show you.”

Oroetes bowed slightly at the sign of royal power, and
asked : “ What does Oambyses desire of me ? ”

“ He commands you to do all in your power to form an
alliance with the Samian. You are further to let your
troops join the great army in the Babylonian plain as soon
as possible.”

The satrap bowed and sullenly left 'the room. As soon
as the sound of his footsteps died away in the passages of
the inner court, Zopyrus cried ; “ Poor man 1 It is hard for
him to treat with consideration that arrogant Samian, who
has behaved so insolently to him. Remember the story of
the physician.”

“You are too lenient,” interrupted Darius. “I do not
like Oroetes. No one should receive his king’s commands
in this manner. Did you not see that he bit his lips till

34:4

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

the blood came, when Prexaspes showed him the king’s
ring?”

“ There is a rebellious spirit in that man,” cried the
ambassador. “ He left us so quickly because he could not
control his anger any longer.”

“ But I must entreat you,” said Bartja, “ to conceal the
behaviour of the satrap from my brother, for I owe him
much.”

Prexaspes bowed, but Darius said : “ At all events we
must keep an eye on him. Just at this place, so far
from the king’s gate, in the midst of hostile races, we need
governors who obey their rulers more willingly than Orcetes,
who imagines that he is king of Lydia.”

“ Are you displeased with him ? ” asked Zopyrus.

“ Yes, I think so,” answered he. “ The people I meet
inspire me at once either with affection or dislike. This
quick, inexplicable feeling, has seldom deceived me. I dis-
liked Oroetes before I had heard him speak a word. It
was just the same with the Egyptian Psamtik, while, on
the other hand, I liked Amasis at once.”

“You are different from us,” laughed Zopyrus. “But
now please leave Orcetes in peace ; it’s a good thing he has
gone : now you can tell us more freely about home. How
are Cassandane and your divinity, Atossa ? How is Croesus ?
What are my wives doing ? They will soon have a new
companion, for I mean to woo Oroetes’ fair daughter to-
morrow. We have told each other our love with our eyes.
I do not know if we spoke Persian or Syrian, but we said
very amiable things to each other.”

The friends laughed, and Darius, jo inin g in the general
merriment, cried : “Now you shall hear some pleasant
news, which I was really keeping to the last, as it is the
best. Now, Bartja, listen. Your mother, noble Cassan-
dane, has had her sight restored. Yes, yes, it is perfectly
true. Who cured her ? Why, who else but the melancholy
Egyptian, who is, if possible, gloomier than ever. Now be
quiet, and let me proceed, or it will be morning before
Bartja goes to sleep. We ought really to part now, for
you have heard the best, and can dream of it. You will
not? Then, in Mithra’s name, I will continue, though my
heart bleeds.

bartja’s illness.

345

“ Let me begin with the king. While Phanes was in
Babylon he seemed to forget his grief for the Egyptian.
The Athenian was not allowed to leave him. They were
inseparable as Eeksli and Eustem. Cambyses found no
time to grieve in his company, for the Greek had new ideas
every minute, and not only amused the king, but all of us
in an admirable way. Everyone liked him, I think, be-
cause no one could really envy him. Whenever he was
alone for a minute his eyes filled with tears for his mur-
dered boy, and this made the cheerfulness with which he
managed to infect your grave brother, all the more praise-
worthy. Every morning he rode with Cambyses and all of
us to the Euphrates, and took pleasure in the exercises of the
young Acheemenidoe. When he saw the boys ride quickly
past the sand hills with their bows and arrows, and pierce
the pots which stood on them ; when he saw them throw
pieces of wood at each other and cleverly dodge them, lie
confessed that he could not imitate them, but he offered to
compete with all of us in throwing the spear and wrestling.
vVdth liis usual vivacity he at once sprang from his horse,
threw off his clothes — it was disgraceful — and to the joy of
the boys, threw their wrestling master to the ground like a
feather. Then he overcame a number of men who boasted
of their strength, and would perhaps have conquered me if
he had not been fatigued. I can assure you that I am
stronger than he, for I can lift heavier weights, but the
Athenian is as agile as an eel, and seizes his opponent in a
manner wonderful to behold. His nudity was a great help
to him. If it were not unseemly, we ought to wrestle
naked, and rub ourselves with olive oil like the Athenians.
He surpassed us in throwing the spear, but the arrow of
the king, who you know is proud of being the best shot in
Persia, flew further than his. He was most pleased with
our custom, according to which, after the wrestling match,
the conquered competitor kisses the victor’s hand. Then lie
showed us a new exercise, boxing. He would not show his
skill on a free man, so the king sent for Bessus, my groom,
the strongest and biggest of all the servants, who with his
gigantic arms can press together the hind legs of a horse,
so that the animal trembles and cannot move. The power-
ful fellow, who is at least a head taller than Phanes, laughed

346

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

and shrugged Ms shoulders compassionately when he heard
that he was to box with the little foreigner. Certain of
victory, he placed himself opposite the Athenian, and aimed
a blow at him wMch would have killed an elephant. But
„ Phanes avoided it, and at the same time gave the giant such
a blow with his fist between the eyes that blood streamed
from eyes and nose, and the uncouth fellow fell down
howling. When he was raised his face looked like a
greenish-blue gourd. The boys shouted with joy at the blow.
We admired the skill of the Greek, and rejoiced at the king’s
good humour, which was especially apparent when Phanes
sang cheerful Greek songs and dance tunes to the accom-
paniment of the lute.

“Meanwhile Cassandane’s sight had been restored by
the skill of ISTebenchari, the Egyptian, and this event also
helped to dispel the king’s melancholy. All was well,
and I was about to ask for Atossa’s hand, when Phanes
left for Arabia, and everything changed at once.

“ As soon as the Athenian left the gates, all evil divs
seemed to have entered the king. He went about, silent
and gloomy, did not speak, and drank great cans of strong
Syrian wine early in the morning, in order to drown Ms
melancholy. In the evening he was so drunk that he gene-
rally had to be carried out of the hall, and in the morning he
awoke with convulsions and headache. During the day he
wandered about as though seeking something, and at night
he was often heard to utter Nitetis* name. The physicians
were anxious about Ms health, and gave Mm medicine,
which he threw away. Croesus was right when he said to
them one day : “ Magi and Chaldaeans, before you try to
cure, you should find out the seat of the disease. Do
you know it ? I will tell you what ails the king. He has
an inward disease and a wound. The first is called dull-
ness, and the second is in his heart. The Athenian
can cure the first, but I know no remedy for the second, for
experience teaches that such wounds either heal of their
own accord, or bleed inwardly.

“ * I know a cure for the king,’ cried Otanes, who had
heard these words. * We ought to advise him to recall
the women from Susa, or at all events my daughter
Phsedime. Love distracts melancholy, and hastens the

babtja’s illness.

347

course of the sluggish blood.’ We agreed with the speaker,
and asked him to remind the king of the banished women.
Otanes ventured to speak of them when we sat at the
feast, but the king replied so angrily, that we were all sorry
for him. Soon after, Cambyses summoned the Mobeds
and Chaldoeans to explain to him a remarkable dream.

“He dreamed he was in a desert; the soil resembled
a threshing floor, not a blade of grass grew there. Annoyed
at the bare, sad aspect of the place, he was just about to
seek more fertile spots, when Atossa appeared, and without
noticing him ran towards a spring, which suddenly, as
thongh by magic, flowed with cheerful murmur from the
barren earth,. He looked on surprised, and saw that
wherever his sister’s foot touched the scorched earth slender
terebinths 1 appeared, which, as they grew up, turned to
cypresses, whose tops reached the sky. When he was about
to accost Atossa, he awoke.

“ The Mobeds and Chaldoeans consulted, and interpreted
it to mean that Atossa would succeed in all she undertook.

“ Cambyses was satisfied with the answer, but when he
had a similar dream the following night, he threatened to
kill the Mobeds if they could not give him a better explana-
tion. The wise men consulted for a long time, and at last
answered that Atossa would become a queen, and the
mother of mighty princes.

“The king was satisfied with this explanation, and
smiled strangely when he told ns his dream.

“ Cassandane summoned me the same day, and told me
that if I valued my life, I must give up all hoj)e of her
daughter.

“ As I was about to leave the garden, I saw Atossa
behind a pomegranate bush. She signed. I came. We
forgot danger and pain, and at last parted for ever. How
you know everything, and now I have renounced all hopes
of that fair girl, for they would be madness. I must exert
my strength, so as not to become melancholy for a
woman’s sake, like the king. That is the end of the story
whose conclusion we expected, when Atossa’ s rose made
me» the condemned man, the happiest of all mortals. If

1 Kings of Persia used to eat the fruit of the terebinth at their
coronation.

348

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

in tlie hour of death I had not betrayed my secret, it
would have gone to my grave with me. But what am I
saying ? I can rely on your secrecy, and must ask you not
to look at me with such pity. I am still enviable, I think,
for I have enjoyed an hour’s bliss which outweighs a hun-
dred years of misery. I thank you, I thank you. Now
let me finish quickly.

“ Three days after my parting from Atossa I was obliged
to wed Arty stone, Gobryas’ daughter. She is beautiful,
and would make any other man happy. On the morning
after my wedding the angare arrived, who brought the news
of Bartja’s illness to Babylon. My mind was quickly made
up. I asked the king’s permission to seek and nurse you,
and warn you of the danger which threatened you in Egypt.
In spite of my father-in-law’s remonstrances, 1 took leave of
my newly- wedded wife, and accompanied by Prexaspes, rode
without stopping to seek you, my Bart j a, and accompany
you and Zopyrus to Egypt. Gyges goes with the ambas-
sador to Samos as interpreter. This is the king’s com-
mand. His temper has improved lately, because he finds
distraction in reviewing the army, and the Chaldseans have
assured him that the planet Adar, 1 which is ruled by their
war god, promises a great victory to Persian weapons.
When shall you be able to travel, Bartja ? ”

“ To-morrow, if you like,” he answered. “ The physician
says a sea journey would do me good. The land journey
to Smyrna is very short.”

“ And I assure you,” added Zopyrus, “ that your beloved
will cure you more quickly than the best physicians.”

“ Then we will leave in three days,” said Darius,
thoughtfully, “ for we have much to prepare before leaving.
I have reflected that Bartja must appear as a trader in
carpets from Babylon. I will represent his brother, and
Zopyrus a merchant who deals in Sardian red.”

“ Can we not appear as warriors P ” asked Zopyrus. “ It
is disgraceful to be looked on as such cheats and bar-
gainers. Suppose we pretend to be Lydian soldiers who
have fled to avoid punishment, and seek service in the
Egyptian army.”

1 JUars.

bartja’s illness.

349

“ That is better/’ said Bartja. “ Besides, I think from
our bearing we should be taken for warriors rather than
merchants.”

“That does not follow,” answered G-yges. “A Q-reek
merchant and ship-owner walks as though the world
belonged to him. But I do not think Zopyrus’ plan
amiss.”

“ Yery well,” said Darius, yielding. “ Then Oroetes
must provide us with the dress of Lydian taxiarchs.” 1

“ Why not with the ornaments of chiliarchs ? ” cried
G-yges. “Your youthful appearance would arouse sus-
picions.”

“We cannot appear as common soldiers.”

“ hTo, but as hecatontarchs.”

“ Yery well,” laughed Zopyrus, “ if only I need not
pretend to be a trader. We’ll set out in three days.
I’m glad I shall have time to secure the satrap’s daughter
and visit the grove of Cybele, for which I long. But now
good night, Bartja. Mind you sleep long. What would
Sappho say if you arrived with pale cheeks ? ”

1 The taxiarch may be compared with a captain $ the hecatontarcb
was leader of 100 men, and the chiliarch of 1,000.

CHAPTEE XXV L

THE THREE FRIENDS IN EGYPT.

I T was an intensely liot day in Xaucratis. The Nile had
overflowed its banks, and covered the fields and gardens
of Egypt with water. The harbours at the mouth of the
stream were crowded with ships. Egyptian vessels, manned
by Phoenician colonists from the Delta, brought delicate
fabrics from Malta, metals and jewels from Sardinia, and
wine and eopper from Cyprus. Greek triremes brought
fine oil and wine, mastix boughs, Chalcedonian bronze and
woollen materials ; Phoenician and Syrian vessels with gay
sails brought copper, tin, purple stuffs, jewels, spices,
glass, carpets, and cedars from Lebanon for building
houses in Egypt, which was poor in wood. In exchange
for their wares they obtained the treasures of Ethiopia,
gold, ivory, ebony, tropical birds of gay plumage, jewels,
and black slaves, but above all, the far-famed Egyptian
com, or chariots from Memphis, lace from Sais, and fine
papyrus. The time of mere barter had ceased long ago,
and the merchants of Xaucratis often paid for their wares
in silver coin and carefully weighed gold.

Great warehouses surrounded the harbour of the Greek
town. Beside them stood lightly constructed houses to
which the idle sailor was attracted by music, laughter, and
the cries of painted women. Among the crowds of black
and white slaves who bore heavy burdens on their back,
staggered oarsmen and steersmen in various dresses. Cap-
tains in Greek, or gaudy Phoenician dresses, gave orders to
their subordinates, and handed over their cargoes to the
wholesale merchants.

Wherever a quarrel arose, the Egyptian police, with their
long wands, and the Greek guardians of the harbour, ap-

THE THREE FRIENDS IN EGYPT.

851

pointed by tbe elders of the merchants in Nauci*atis,
appeared at once on the scene.

Now the harbour grew empty, for the time of opening
the market was approaching, and the free G-reek was al-
ways unwilling to miss this. Many curious people stayed
away this time, for a beautifully built Samian ship, with a
long swan neck, the Oceia, on the prow of which was a
wooden image of the goddess Hera, was just being un-
laden. Three handsome youths, in the dress of Lydian
soldiers, who left the trireme, attracted much attention.
Several slaves followed them and carried a few boxes and
bundles after them.

The handsomest of the three, in whom the reader has
already recognized our young friends Darius, Zopyrus, and
Bart j a, addressed a harbour guard and asked him to show
them the way to the house of his friend Theopompus the
Milesian.

Polite and obliging, like all Greeks, the official preceded
the strangers, and led them across the market, which a bell
had just announced as open, to a fine house, the property
of the most respected man in Naueratis.

The youths had not passed through the market without
delay. They had easily avoided the importunities of the
bold fish sellers, and the invitations of the butchers, sellers
of sausages and vegetables, the potters and bakers. When
they approached the place of the flower-girls, Zopyrus
clapped his hands loudly with delight at the charming
scene. Three beautiful girls in semi-transparent white
dresses with coloured borders sat, surrounded by flowers,
on low benches, and wound a large garland of roses, violets,
and orange blossoms. Their pretty heads, adorned by
wreaths, resembled the three rosebuds which one of them,
who first noticed our friends, held towards them.

“ Buy my roses, handsome gentlemen,” she cried, in a
clear melodious voice, “ and put them in the hair of your
beloved.”

Zopyrus took the flowers, and holding the girl’s hand,
returned : “I come from afar, beautiful child, and have as
yet no love in Naucratis. Let me, therefore, place these
roses in your golden hair, and this piece of gold in your
small white hand.”

352

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

The girl laughed with delight, showed the munificent
gift to her sisters, and cried : “ By Eros, youths like you
cannot want friends. Are you brothers ?”

“No.”

“ What a pity ! we are sisters ”

“ And you think we should have made three handsome
couples ? ”

“ I may have thought it, but I did not say it.”

“ And your sisters ?”

The girls laughed, seemed to have no objection to such
friendship, and gave Bart j a and“Darius rosebuds.

The youths accepted the flowers, also gave a piece of
gold, and were not allowed to leave the girls till green
laurel wreaths had been wound round their helmets.

The news of the unusual generosity of the strangers had
spread among the flower-girls, who, on all sides, sold ribbons,
blossoms, and wreaths. Each showed her roses, and with
look and word invited them to stay.

Zopyrus, like many of the young men of Naucratis,
would, have liked to tarry with the girls, who were nearly
all distinguished by beauty and hearts easy to win. But
Darius urged him to go on, and asked Bart j a to forbid
their thoughtless friend to remain any longer. They passed
the tables of the money-changers and the citizens, who sat
on stone benches and consulted in the open air, and reached
Theopompus’ house.

As soon as their Greek guide had knocked with the
metal knocker, the door was opened by a slave. As the
master of the house was still in the market, the porter, a
servant, who had grown grey in the service of Theopompus,
led the strangers into the andronitis and asked them to
await his master’s return.

While the youths were looking with admiration at the
beautiful wall paintings and the artistic construction of the
stone floor of the hall, Theopompus, the merchant whose
acquaintance we made in Khodopis’ house, returned, ac-
companied by several slaves who carried the various articles
he had bought in the market.

The Milesian greeted the strangers with graceful polite-
ness, and asked what he could do for them.

After Bartja had convinced himself that no listener was

THE THREE FRIENDS IN EGYPT.

353

near, he handed the master of the house the letter which
Phanes had giYen him on leaving.

Theopompus had scarcely read it when he bowed to the
prince and cried : “ By Zeus, the protector of hospitality,
no greater honour could have befallen my house than your
visit. Loot on all that I have as your own, and ask
your companions to put up with my house. Pardon me, if
I did not recognize you in your Lydian dress. I think your
curls are shorter and your beard is fuller than when you
left Egypt. Am I right in thinking that you wish to remain
unknown ? As you please. The best hospitality is that which
leaves the guest at liberty. Now I recognize your friends.
But they, too, are greatly changed, and, like you, have cut
their hair. I could almost swear that you, my friend,
whose name I — ”

“ My name is Darius !”

“ That you, Darius, have dyed your hair black. Yes ?
You see my memory does not deceive me. But I must not
boast of it too much, for I saw you several times at Sais,
as well as when you arrived and left. You ask, O prince,
if others would know you. Certainly not. Your strange
dress, and short hair, and painted eyebrows alter you en-
tirely. But pardon me a minute. My doorkeeper calls
me. He seems to have an important message.”

After a few minutes Theopompus returned, and cried :
“ My friends, that is not the way to enter Naueratis if you
wish to remain unknown. You have jested with flower-
girls, and for a few roses paid them, not like fugitive
Lydian hecatontarchs, but like the grand people you are.
All Naucratis knows the beautiful, gay sisters, Stepha-
nion, Chloris, and Irene, who bewitch many a young
heart with their wreaths, and with their sweet looks have
coaxed many a bright obolus out of the purses of our
sons. The young men prefer to linger with the flower-girls
at market time, and the bargains struck there are paid at
night with many pieces of gold. But for a kind word and
a few roses people are less generous than you. The girls
have boasted of your gifts, and shown the shining gold to
their stingier lovers. Humour is a goddess who exaggerates
too much, and makes a crocodile of a lizard. The Egyptian
captain who has guarded the market since Psamtik has

354

AN EQ-YPTIAN PRINCESS.

governed us, heard that three Lydian warriors had scattered
gold among the wreath binders. This aroused suspicion and
caused the toparch to send an official hither to inquire who
you are, and what has brought you to Egypt. I was there-
fore obliged to resort to stratagem and impose on the scout,

I did as you wished, and said you were rich youths from
Sardes, who had fled from the satrap’s wrath. But hero
comes the clerk who will give you passports, so that you
can remain unm olested on the Nile. I have promised him
a great reward if he will help you to enlist among the king’s
mercenaries. He swallowed the bait and believes me.
Your youth will prevent anyone from suspecting you of a
secret mission,”

The talkative G-reek had scarcely finished when the clerk,
a thin, white-robed man, placed himself opposite the
strangers, and, with the assistance of an interpreter, asked
whence they came and the object of their journey.

The youths kept to their assertion that they were fugi-
tive Lydian hecatontarchs, and begged the official to tell
them what they must do to join the Egyptian auxiliary
troops, and to give them passports.

After Theopompus had become surety for the friends,
the official did not hesitate long, but soon prepared the
desired papers.

Bartja’s passport was as follows : —

“ Smerdis, son of Sandon, from Sardes, about twenty-two
years old, of stately, slender figure, well-formed face,
straight nose, and high forehead, with a small scar in the
middle, may remain in Egypt wherever the law allows
strangers to settle, since surety has been offered for him.

“In the king’s name, Sachons, scribe.”

The passports of Darius and Zopyrus were similar.

When the official had left the house, Theopompus rubbed
his hands and said : “ Now, if you follow my advice in all
things, you can safely stay in this country. Preserve those
scrolls as you would your eyes, and never part from them.
Now I must ask you to come with me to breakfast, where,
if it is agreeable to you, you can tell me if the rumour,
which was spread abroad in the market, is as usual false.
A trireme from Colophon brought news, Bartja, that your
great brother was preparing to attack Amasis.”

THE THREE FRIENDS IN EGYPT.

355

On tlie evening of tlie same day Bartja and Sappho
met, and tlie joy of the meeting, heightened by the un-
expected appearance of the prince, was so great, that in the
first hour the maiden could find no words to express her
delight and gratitude. When they were alone in the
bower of jessamine, whose flowering boughs had sheltered
their young love, Sappho sank on the breast of her
lover. For a long while they did not speak, and saw
neither moon nor stars which passed on their significant,
silent course above their heads in the warm summer night.
They did not hear the songs of the nightingale, which, as
foi.merly, called to her beloved Itys. They did not £<vl
the dew which the night poured on them as on the flowers
in the grass.

At length Bartja seized both hands of his love, and gazed
at her with ineffable joy, as though he wished to impress
her image on his heart. She looked down shyly, till at last
he cried : “ When I dreamed of you, you seemed to me fairer
than all that Auramazda had created, but now I see that
your beauty surpasses my dreams.”

A bright look thanked him for his words, and he again
put his arm round her, drew her closer, and asked : “ Did
you think of me ? ”

“ Of you only.”

“ And did you hope to see me again so soon?”

“ Oh, every hour I thought : 4 Now he must come/ When
I entered the garden in the morning, and looked towards
the east, towards your home, and when a little bird flew
thence to me from the right side, when my right eyelid
twitched , 1 when I cleared out my box, and found the
wreath which became you so well, and which I kept in
memory of you — Melitta says that wreaths preserved like
this preserve true love, — then I clapped my hands, and
thought, he must come to-day. I ran down to the Nile,
and waved to every boat with my handkerchief, for I
thought that every vessel was bearing you to me. When you
did not come, I went back sadly, sang a song, and looked
at the hearth-fire in the women’s room, till my grandmother

1 A birr* flying from the right, and a twitching in the right eye,
signified good fortune.

356

AN* EGYPTIAN PEINCES8.

roused me from my dreams, and said : * She who dreams
in the day is in danger of not sleeping at night, and rising
every morning with dulled mind, with weary brain, and
languid limbs. Day wa s given us that we might wake, and
keep our eyes open, and strive to let no hour pass in idle-
ness. The past belongs to the dead ; folly hopes for salva-
tion from the future ; the wise keep to the present, which is
ever young, and profit by it, to cultivate by industry
all the gifts which Zeus bestowed on us, and Apollo,
Cypris, and Pallas gave us, so that gradually they increase,
and perfect, and ennoble each other; and at last our
thoughts, actions, emotions, and words become harmonious
like the sweet tones of the lyre. You cannot better serve
the man you think above you because you love him ; you
cannot show your fidelity more beautifully than by im-
proving your mind and character as far as this lies in your
power. Whatever you may learn that is good and beautiful
will be a gift for your lover, for if you give yourself up to
him, he will receive your virtues with you. But no one
ever won a victory in dreams. Perspiration is the refresh-
ing dew of the flower of virtue ! ’ Thus she spoke. Prom
the hearth I went ashamed, and seized my lute, and learned
new songs, or hearkened unto my teacher who instructed
me with love, in word and deed, for she surpasses most
men in wisdom. Thus the time passed on — a quick stream,
which like yon Nile flows for ever, and carries, now a gaily
flagged golden boat, and now an evil, greedy crocodile,
past us, the mortals.”

“ Now we are seated in the boat of bliss ! I would that
now the stream of time would stop ! Oh, would that life
could remain like this for ever ! Lovely girl, how wisely you
speak, how well you understand the beautiful lessons, and
how gracefully you repeat them ! My Sappho, I am proud
of you, indeed. Por in your virtue I possess a trea-
sure which makes me richer than my lord and brother, to
whom half of the universe belongs.”

“ You proud of me ! — you, a great prince, the fairest, the
noblest of your race ? ”

u I set no higher value on myself than that you think
me worthy of your love.”

“ Great gods ! how can my heart endure this deep bliss,

THE THREE FRIENDS IN EGYPT. 857

without breaking like a vase that lias been filled too full
with heavy gold?”

“ Because another heart — mine — helps you to bear your
burden, and because your soul supports mine. With your
help I scorn the world, and all the suffering that the night
brings forth.”

“ Oh, do not tempt the wrath and envy of the gods, who
oft are vexed with mortals’ joy. Since you went from us
we have spent many an hour of bitter grief. Phanes’
children — a boy as fair as Eros, and a girl as fresh and
fair as tiny clouds that, lighted by the dawn, shine kindly
on us — lived with us for many a day. Grandmother
once again grew young and glad when she saw the two
fresh, young children. But I, I gave them all my heart,
although it all belongs to you alone. Our hearts are
wonderfully formed — just like the sun, which sheds its
light on many, and yet does not lose in splendour and in
brightness, and keeps from none what is their due. I loved
the children dearly. One evening we sat alone, with Tlieo-
pompus in the women’s room, when we heard a tumult at
the door. Old Cnacias our slave just reached the door
when the bolts were forced open, and a crowd of soldiers
entered the peristyle, and the andronites, then hurst open the
middle door, and forced their way to ns. Grandmother
showed them the letter of Amasis, which had made our
house a safe asylum. They laughed scornfully at the
writing, and showed us an official document in which Prince
Psamtik gave strict orders that Phanes’ children should
at once be delivered to these rough men. Theopompus
reproved the soldiers for their violence, and said the
children, who were our guests, came from Corinth, and had
nothing to do with Phanes. The captain of the soldiers
treated the noble man with scorn, insolently repulsed my
anxious grandmother, forced his way into her chamber
where, beside all manner of precious treasures, the two
children slumbered peacefully at the head of her couch,
tore them from their beds, and took them in an 0}>en boat
in the cold night time to the royal town. In a few weeks
the boy was dead. It is said Prince Psamtik murdered
him. The pretty girl still pines in the dark cell of a
gloomy dungeon, and weeps for her father and for us.

S5b AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

Tell me, my love, do you not think it hard that grief
intrudes upon the purest joy. The tears of gladness mix
with tears of grief. My lips that laughed but now have
become the heralds of a deep and bitter woe.”

“ I feel your sorrow, dearest child, but cannot grieve in
the same way as you. That which forces hot tears from
your woman’s eyes makes me clench my fist for a blow.
The fair boy whom you loved, the little girl who weeps
in her lone cell, shall soon be avenged. Trust me. Before
the Nile rises a second time a mighty host will enter the
land, and seek for retribution for the dead.”

“Oh, dearest, how your eyes flash! I never saw you
look so beautiful before. Yes, yes, the boy must be
avenged, and none but you be his avenger.”

“ My gentle girl is turning to a warrior.”

“ Combat becomes a woman where wrong triumphs, and
women, too, rejoice when vice has fallen. But tell me, is
war declared ? ”

“ Not yet ; host after host is marching to the Euphrates
valley, to join our chief army.”

“ Now my courage, so quickly aroused, sinks ; I tremble
at the mere word, war ! How many mothers it makes child-
less, how many wives throw over their heads the widow’s
veil when Ares rages, and how many pillows are wet with
tears when Pallas swings her dreadful aegis.”

“ But the man grows in wild combat, his heart expands,
his arm becomes strong. How you will rejoice when your
beloved hero returns victorious and crowned with fame.
A Persian wife must glory in the fight. She loves her
husband’s life, but dearer far to her heart is her lord’s
glory.”

“ G-o forth to fight, my prayers will shield you.”

“And victory will fall to the right cause. First we will
conquer the Pharaoh’s host, and then we will free our
Phanes* little child.”

“And good Aristomachus, who received Phanes’ place
when he fled. He has vanished, no one knows whither.
It is said that Psamtik put him in a dreadful dungeon
because he threatened him on account of the children, or
had him dragged to a distant mine, which is worse than
the most dreadful death. The poor old man was banished

THE THREE FRIENDS IN EGYPT.

35<1

from his home by wicked foes, and through no fault of
his. The very day which took him from our midst nows
came from Sparta to the Nile that Aristomaehus, whose
sons had brought great fame to Sparta, was recalled to
the shores of the Eurotas with all the honoiu's which the
Greeks can confer. A ship wreathed with flowers awaited
the man whom all praised, and the leader of the embassy
was his own victorious son.”

“ I knew the stroug old man who mutilated himself to
escape disgrace that threatened him. We will avenge him
by the Anahita star that, trembling there, sets in the
east.”

“Is it so late, my love? The time has flown like a soft
breeze, that kisses our brow and passes on. Do you not
hear them call ? They wait for us. Before the dawn you
must reach the town and the house of your noble host and
friend. Farewell, my hero.”

“Farewell, my love. The bridal songs will sound in
five days more. You tremble, as at the' mention of tin*
war.”

“I tremble at the greatness of our bliss, as we must
tremble at all great things.”

“ Bhodopis calls again. Come, let us go. I have asked
Theopompus to consult the matron, as is the custom, as to
how and where our bridal can be celebrated. I will re-
main unknown in his house till I can lead you lienee as my
cherished wife.”

“ And I will follow you.”

When, next morning, the youths were walking with their
host in Theopompus' garden, Zopyrus cried : “ All night 1
dreamed of nothing but your Sappho. Happy Barija!
Such a being was never created before. If Araspes saw
her he would confess that Panthea was surpassed. My
new wife at Sardes, whom I thought remarkably beautiful,
now seems to me like an owl. Auramazda is wasteful.
With Sappho's charms he could have made throe beauties*
How charming it sounded when she bade us good-night in
Persian.”

“ During my absence,” returned Barfcja, “ she tried to
learn our language from a native of Susa, the wife of a

360

AN EGYPTIAN FBINCESS.

Babylonian trader in carpets, who lives in Naucratis, and
she surprised me with this accomplishment, which she has
taken such pains to acquire/ *

“ She is a splendid girl,” cried the merchant. “ My
late wife loved her as her own child, and would gladly
have wedded her to our son, who is the head of my business
at Miletus. But the gods willed it otherwise. My wife
would have rejoiced if she could have seen the bridal
wreaths on Rhodopis’ door.”

“ Then it is your custom to deck the house of a bride
with flowers P ” asked Zopyrus.

“ Certainly,” returned Theopompus. “ If you see a
wreathed door you know that there is a betrothed maiden
behind it. If you see an olive branch on a house a boy has
been bom there, but if you see a woollen scarf over the door
a girl has seen the light. A pail of water before the door
shows that you approach a house of mourning. But the
market time draws near. My friends, I must leave you.
Matters of importance summon me.”

“ I will accompany you,” cried Zopyrus, “ and order
wreaths for Sappho’s house.”

“ Aha ! ” laughed the Milesian. “ You long for the
flower-girls. 0, your denial will not avail you. If you
like you can accompany me, but I must ask you to be less
generous than yesterday, and to remember your disguise,
which may easily become a source of danger if certain news
of the threatened war should arrive.”

The Greek summoned his slave to fasten on his sandals,
and, accompanied by Zopyrus, went to the market-place,
whence he returned in a few hours. Important events had
evidently occurred, for Theopompus was unusually grave
when he returned to the friends.

“ I found the whole town in great excitement,” he began,
“ for there is a rumour that Amasis is dangerously ilL As
we stood together in the exchange 1 transacting our busi-
ness, and I was about to receive large sums for the rapid
sale of my goods, which had risen very much in price — I
intend to use the money to buy new goods when the

„ 1 The Greek merchants sold their goods by sample on the so-called
fitly fia of the exchange.

THE THREE FRIENDS IN EGYPT.

361

certain prospect of war makes prices fall; my early ac-
quaintance with your great "brother’s armaments will be
very useful to me — the toparch appeared in our midst
and said that Amasis was not only dangerously ill, but
was given up by all his physicians. We must be prepared
at any minute for the king’s death and for grave events.
The death of this king is the greatest loss which could be-
fall the Greeks, for he was always our friend and favoured
us, while his son is the declared foe of the Greeks, and will
do all in his power to force us to leave Egypt. He hates
Naucratis and our temples. If his father had not pre-
vented it, and if he did not urgently need the Greek mer-
cenaries, he would long ago have banished us, the hated
foreigners, from his realm. When Amasis dies, all Nau-
cratis will rejoice at the approach of Cambyses’ army,
for the events at home have taught us, that you can
respect those who are not Persians, and protect their
rights.”

“ I will see that my brother confirms yonr former privi-
leges,” said Bartja, “ and grants you new ones.”

“I hope he will soon enter Egypt,” cried the Greek.
“We know that as soon as he can, Psamtik will order us
to pull down our temples, which he hates. He long ago
stopped the building of a new temple at Memphis.”

“ But we saw splendid temples here when we came from
the harbour,” said Darius.

“We have several temples. But here comes Zopyrus
with my slaves, carrying a perfect forest of garlands
behind him. He is laughing, and must have passed a
pleasant time with the flower-girls. Good-day, friend, the
sad news which fills all Haucratis does not seem to affect
you”

“ I wish Amasis a hundred years of life,” cried Zopyrus.
“But if he dies, they will have other things to attend to
beside us. When are you going to Rhodopis’ house ? ”

“ As soon as it is dark.”

“Then offer the noble matron these flowers as a gift
from me. I never thought that an old woman would de-
light me so. Every word she utters sounds like music, and
though it be grave and wise, charms the ear like a jest. I
do not care to accompany you this time, Bartja, for I

362

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

should only he in your way. What do you intend to do,
Darius ? ”

“ I should not like to lose a chance of talking to
Ehodopis”

“ I do not wonder. You must know and learn every-
thing while I try to enjoy everything. Will you grant me
leave of absence, my friends P You see — ■”

“I know,” Bartja interrupted the frivolous youth,
laughing. “ Till now you have only seen the flower-girls by
day, and would like to know what they look like by lamp-
light”

“That’s it,” cried Zopyrus, looking grave. “In this
respect, I am as curious as Darius.”

“ May you enjoy yourself with the three sisters.”

“ Not so. Only with Stephanion, the youngest.”

Dawn had broken when Bartja, Darius, and Theopompus
left Ehodopis’ house. A noble G-reek, Syloson by name,
brother of Polycrates, who had been banished by the tyrant,
had spent the evening with them and returned in their
company to Naucratis, where he had lived for some
years.

This man, whose brother, though he had exiled him,
supplied him plentifully with money, kept the most festive
house in Naucratis, and was as famous for his extrava-
gance as for his skill and strength. Syloson was also dis-
tinguished in a high degree by beauty and splendour of
dress. All the youths of Naucratis made a point of
imitating the cut and arrangement of the folds of his
garments. . He was independent and unoccupied, and
many of his evenings were spent in Ehodopis’ house ; she
numbered him among her most intimate friends, and had
told him her grandchild’s secret.

That evening it was arranged that the wedding should
be celebrated in four days, quietly and in secret. Bartja
had already eaten the quince 1 with his love, who on the
same day solemnly sacrificed to Zeus, Hera, and the other
deities who protect marriage, and thus formally betrothed

1 According to Plutarch, Solon 20, one of the laws of Solon enjoined
on all brides in Athens to eat a quince, which seems to have possessed
significance for lovers, before the wedding.

THE THREE FRIENDS IN EGYPT.

363

himself to her. Syloson undertook to provide singers of the
epithalamium and torch-bearers. The feast was to be held
at Theopompus’ house, which represented the bridegroom's.
The splendid wedding gifts of the prince had already been
given to Rhodopis. Bartja refused Sappho’s large in-
heritance and gave it to Rhodopis, who firmly refused to
accept it.

Syloson accompanied the friends to Theopompus’ house,
and was about to take leave of them when they heard a lend
noise in the silent street, and soon after the Egyptian guard
came up with a man in fetters, whom they were taking to
prison. The prisoner seemed very angry, and became
more violent in proportion to the increasing indifference
of the guards to his broken Greek, and the oaths he uttered
in a foreign tongue.

Bartja and Darius no sooner heard the prisoner’s voice,
than they hurried up and recognized Zopyrus.

Syloson and Theopompus at once stopped the guard,
and asked the captain what the prisoner had done. The
captain knew the Milesian and Polyorates’ brother,
whose faces were familiar to every child in Naueratis;
he bowed, and said that the stranger had committed
murder.

Theopompus took him aside and offered him a large
bribe if he would set the prisoner at liberty, but he only
succeeded in obtaining permission to speak to his guest.

When the friends stood by Zopyrus, they bogged him to
tell them quickly what had happened. They learned that
at nightfall the thoughtless youth had visited the flower-
girl Stephanion, had remained with her till early dawn
and then left her. He had scarcely closed the door, when
he was attacked by several young men who had probably
been lying in wait for him. He had already quarrelled in
the morning with one of them who called himself Stepha-
nion’s betrothed. The girl had sent away her troublesome
wooer from her flowers, and thanked Zopyrus when he
threatened to strike the importunate man. As soon as
the Achsemenide was attacked, he drew his sword and
easily put to flight his enemies, who wore merely armed
with sticks. Unfortunately he seriously wounded the
jealous man, who had attacked him impetuously, and now

864

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

fell to the ground. Meanwhile the guard had come up
and tried to arrest Zopyrus, whose victim was uttering
lamentable cries of “ Murderer and robber! ” but he did not
prove willing to give up his freedom so easily. Spurred
on by the threatened danger, and eager for the fray, the
Persian rushed at the police with upraised sword, and
would have broken through them if a second guard had
not come up and, joining the first, renewed the attack.
He raised his sword again, and this time clove in twain the
head of an Egyptian. A second blow wounded a soldier
in the arm; when he was about to strike again, he suddenly
felt that a noose had been thrown round his neck, and was
being drawn tighter and tighter. He soon lost conscious-
ness. When he recovered he was in chains, and in spite
of his passport and his reference to Theopompus, he was
obliged to follow the guard.

When he had finished his account, the Milesian ex-
pressed his displeasure, and assured him that his untimely
love of fighting might have serious consequences. Then
he turned to the captain again and offered to become
surety for the prisoner. The captain decidedly refused
every offer, and declared that leniency to the mur-
derer would cost him" his life, for in Egypt there was a
law that threatened with death any man who concealed a
murder. He must, he continued, take the criminal to
Sais, at once, and there deliver him up to the nomarch for
punishment. “ He has,” he added, “ killed an Egyptian,
and must be sentenced by an Egyptian high court of justice.
In every other case I am at your service.”

During his speech Zopyrus spoke to his friends and
begged them not to trouble themselves about him. “ I
swear, by Mithra,” he cried, when Bartja assured him that
they would confess who they were, in order to obtain his
freedom, “that I will plunge my sword into my heart
without a moment’s thought if, for my sake, you give
yourselves up to these Egyptian dogs. The rumour of the
coming war has already spread over the town. As soon as
Psamtik hears what precious birds are in his net, he will
not consider long, but will close the net and keep you as
hostages. Auramazda grant you salvation, blessing, and
purity. Farewell, friends, and think sometimes of cheerful

THE THREE FRIENDS IN EGYPT.

365

Zopyrus, who lived for fighting and love, and died for love
and fighting.”

Meanwhile the captain had placed himself at the head
of the procession and given his men the order to march.

A few minutes later Zopyrus had disappeared from his
friends’ sight.

CHAPTER XXYII.

THE WEDDING.

A CCORDIRG- to the Egyptian law, Zopyrus was certain
to be condemned to death.

As soon as the friends heard this, they resolved to go
to Sais and try to free the prisoner. Syloson, who was
known there and conld speak Egyptian, offered of his own
accord to accompany them.

Bartja and Darius, disguised by their dyed hair and
eyebrows, and broad-brimmed felt hats, so that even their
friends could not recognize them, and in simple G-reek
dresses provided by Theopompus, met Syloson, who was in
rich attire, on the shores of the Rile an hour after Zopyrus’
arrest, and entered a boat belonging to their new friend,
and manned by his slaves. After a short journey, aided
by a favourable wind, they reached Sais, which stood in
the midst of the flooded fields like an island, before the
sun had reached its midday height.

They landed at a distant spot, and came first to the
quarter of the workmen who, in spite of the great noonday
heat, were working busily.

In the open court of a baker’s house were journeymen who
were kneading the coarse dough with their feet, the fine with
their hands. Loaves of various shapes were taken out of
the ovens, round and oval cakes, rolls in the shape of
sheep, snails, and hearts were laid in baskets. Active lads
placed three, four, or five of these baskets on their heads,
and carried them quickly and safely to customers in other
parts of the town. A butcher was killing an ox, whose
legs were bound, in front of his house; while his men
sharpened their knives on the grindstone, to cut up a wild
goat. Merry shoemakers were calling to the passers-by from

THE WEDDING.

S67

their shops, and carpenters, tailors, joiners, and weavers
were working industriously.

The wives of the workmen, leading naked children by
the hand, left their houses to do their shopping, while a
few soldiers approached a purveyor of wine and beer, who
sold his intoxicating drinks in the open street.

Our friends paid little heed to the bustle around
them, and silently followed Syloson, who asked them to
wait for him by the guard-house of the Greek merce-
naries.

The Samian chanced to know the taxiarch on duty, and
inquired of him if he had heard of a murderer who had
been brought from Haucratis to Sais.

44 Certainly,” returned the Greek. 44 He arrived barely
half an hour ago. A purse full of gold was found in his
belt, and he was therefore taken for a Persian sp>y, I sup-
pose you know that Cambyses is preparing an army to
attack Egypt ? ”

44 Impossible ! ”

4 4 It is certain. The Pharaoh knows it already. Arabian
merchants, whose caravan reached Pelusium yesterday,
brought the news.”

44 Which may be as false as the suspicion against the
Lydian. I know him very well, and am sorry for the poor
lad. He belongs to one of the wealthiest Sardian families,
fled thence because he had quarrelled with the Per-
sian satrap Orcetes, and was pursued by his mighty
enemy. I will tell you the details of the story when you
visit me at Haucratis. Of course, you will stay in my
house for a few days, and bring your friends. My brother
has sent me some wine from Samos, which surpasses every-
thing you have ever tasted. I only allow a delicate palate
like yours to enjoy this divine drink.”

The taxiarch’s face brightened, and seizing Syloson’s
hand, he cried : 44 By the dog, friend, we will not keep you
waiting, and will attack your skins gallantly. What do
you say to inviting Archidice, the three flower sisters, and
a couple of flute-players to the feast ? ”

41 They shall be there. That reminds me that the poor
young Lydian is a prisoner for the sake of the flower
sisters. A jealous churl, aided by several companions,

368

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

attacked him in front of her honse. My fiery Lydian
defended himself — ”

“ And struck his foe to the earth P ”

“ So that he will never rise again. 1 ”

“The hoy must have a strong fist.”

“ He had a sword.”

“ All the better for him.”

“ No, all the worse, for his victim was an Egyptian.”

“ That's a foolish affair, which may turn out badly. A
stranger who kills an Egyptian is as certain of death as if
he had the halter round his neck. But, at all events, he
will have a few days’ respite. The priests are all engaged
with prayers for the dying king, and have no time to hold
a court of justice.”

“I would give much if I could help the poor boy. I
knew his father.”

“Yes, and he did not do more than his duty. A man
cannot submit to being thrashed.”

“Do you know in which prison the poor fellow is ? ”

“Yes. The great prison is being rebuilt, so for the
present he has been put in the store-house which separates
the chief guard-room of the Egyptian bodyguard from the
grove of the temple of Neith. I was just coming home,
and saw the poor fellow taken there.”

“ He is bold and strong. Do you think he could escape
if he were helped ? ”

“ No. The place where he was put is two stories high,
and its only window looks on the grove of the goddess,
which, as you know, is surrounded by walls ten feet
high, and guarded like a treasury. There are double
guards at all the doors. The only place where, of course,
there are no sentinels during the floods is where the wall
is washed by the Nile. These worshippers of animals are
cautious as wagtails.”

“ That’s a pity. Then we must leave the poor fellow to
his fate. Farewell, Dsemones, and come soon to my
house.”

The Samian left the guard-room, and returned to his
friends who were waiting for him impatiently, and listened
eagerly to his report.

When the Grreek had finished his account of the

THE WEDDIXG.

369

prison, Darius cried : “ I think with a little courage we can
save him. He is agile as a cat, and strong as a bear. I
have formed a plan.”

“ What is it ? ” ashed Syloson. “ I must tell you that I,
too, am not without hope.”

“ We will buy rope-ladders, string, and a good bow, put
everything in a boat, and when it is dark we will go to the
unguarded part of the temple wall. You must help me to
climb over. I will take the things we bought, utter the
eagle's cry, which Zopyrus will recognize at once, as since
childhood we have used it to call each other, shoot the
arrow with the string into his room — I never miss, — call
to my friend to put a weight on the end of the string, and
let it down. I will fasten the rope-ladder to the string,
Zopyrus will pull it up, twist it round the iron nail, which
must, of course, be sent up with the ladder, for we cannot
tell whether there will be anything in his cell to fasten it
to ; he will descend, hasten with me to the place where the
boat waits, climb the wall with the help of a second rope-
ladder which must hang there, leap into the boat, and thus
escape.”

“ Capital ! ” cried Bart j a.

“But very dangerous,” added Syloson. “If we are
caught in the sacred grove, we shall be severely punished.
The priests celebrate special secret festivals there at night
from which all who are not initiated are strictly excluded.
But the lake in the grove is said to be the scene of these
mysteries and that is some distance from Zopyrus’
prison.”

“ All the better,” cried Darius. “ But now for the most
important matter. We must send to Theopompus at
once and ask him to hire a swift trireme for us, and pre-
pare it for the journey. The news of Cambyses’ prepara-
tions has already arrived ; we shall be taken for spies, and
Zopyrus and his liberators will be closely pursued. It
would therefore be wrong to expose ourselves to unneces-
sary danger. Bartja, you must take the message and many
Sappho this very day, for, whatever happens, we must
leave Naucratis to-morrow. Do not object, my friend, my
brother. You know that you would be an idle spec-
tator of the rescue, which can only be undertaken by one.

B B

370

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

I originated the plan and will not let anyone else carry it
ont. We shall meet again to-morrow ; Anramazda protects
the friendship of the pure.”

For a long while Bart j a refused to desert his companions,
hut yielding at last to their united prayers and representa-
tions, went to the river to hire a boat to take him to
Naucratis, while Syloson and Darius bought the materials
for Zopyrus* flight.

Bart j a was obliged to pass the temple of hTeith in order
to reach the place where the boats lay for hire. It was
not easy, for the people crowded round the entrance of the
temple. When Bart j a had forced his way to the obelisks
standing by the gate of the temple which was decked
with winged discs and fluttering flags, he was stopped by
the priests, who were clearing the broad path that led
to the avenue of sphinxes. The great doors of the pylon
opened and Bartja, who against his will was forced into
the foremost row of spectators, saw a splendid proces-
sion leave the temple. He was attracted by the un-
expected sight of so many faces which he had formerly
known, and scarcely heeded the loss of his broad-
brimmed hat, which was tom from him in the crush.
From the conversation of two Ionian mercenaries behind
him, he learned that the family of Amasis had been in the
temple to pray, and offer up sacrifices for the dying
king.

Bichly dressed priests in panther skins and long white
robes came first. Then came court officials with golden
wands, on the tops of which were peacocks* feathers and
silver lotus flowers. They were followed by Pastophors 1
bearing a golden cow, the animal of Isis, on their shoulders.
When the crowd had bowed before the holy emblem, the
queen approached in the robes of a priestess, wearing a rich
headdress with the winged disc and the TJrseus snakes on
her headland carrying lotus flowers in her right hand, and
in her left a gold sistrum , 2 3 the sound of which was to banish
the demons of evil. She was followed by the wife, daughter,

1 The priests who carried the sacred pictures, images of the deities,

&c., in the processions.

3 An instrument used at divine service. It consisted of a bow, from
which rings hung on sticks, which were jingled together.

THE WEDDING.

371

and sister of the chief priest in similar but less costly gar-
ments. Next came the crown prince in rich festive robes.
Behind him four white-robed young priests carried an
open litter in which reclined Tachot, daughter of Ladice and
Amasis, and reputed sister of Nitetis. The girl’s cheeks
were slightly flushed by the summer heat and the intensity
of her devotions. Her blue eyes were filled with tears, and
fixed on the sistrum, which her thin weak hands could
scarcely hold.

A murmur of sympathy broke from the crowd which
clung with affection to the dying king and rendered to his
suffering daughter the pity which is so easily bestowed
on the young in sickness, especially when they seemed
born for greatness and dignity. Many an eye grew dim
when the beautiful invalid appeared and Tachot seemed to
notice the sympathy of the crowd, for she raised her eyes
from the sistrum and looked graciously and with gratitude
at the people. Suddenly the colour faded from her cheeks,
she turned white and the golden instrument fell from her
hands on to the pavement, close to Bartja’ s feet. The
youth felt that he had been recognized, and reflected
whether he had not better hide behind his neighbours.
He only hesitated for a second, then the chivalrous mind of
the young hero overcame his prudence. Quick as thought
he sprang towards the sistrum, and regardless of the risk
of recognition, presented it to the princess.

Tachot looked at him qucstioningly before she relieved
him of his golden burden. Then she whispered so that he
alone heard her: “ Are you Bartja? By your mother I
ask you, are you Bartja? ”

“I am,” he answered as softly. “ Bartja, your friend.”

He could say no more, for the attendants pushed him
back among the crowd. When he resumed his place he saw
that Tachot, whose bearers were again following the proces-
sion, looked back at him once more. Her cheeks were
flushed, and her bright eyes sought his. He did not avoid
her look, but stooped once more to pick up a lotus bud
which she threw at his feet, and then forced his way
through the crowd, whose attention his hasty action had
attracted.

A quarter of an hour later he was in the boat which was

372

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

to carry him to Sappho and his wedding. His anxiety about
Zopyrus had vanished. He already looked on him as
saved. In spite of the danger which threatened him, his
heart was filled with strange satisfaction, he himself knew
not why.

Meanwhile the princess had returned home ; the festal
robes, which oppressed her, were taken off, and she was
placed on a conch on a balcony of the palace, where she
preferred to be during the hot summer days, sheltered by
plants and a tent- like awning.

From this place she could overlook the court of the
palace, which was planted with trees, and which to-day
was crowded with priests, courtiers, the commanders of the
armies and of the nomes. There was a look of anxious ex-
pectation on every face for the hour of Amasis’ death was
drawing near.

Tachot, herself unnoticed, heard, with feverish attention
much of what was being said and discussed below.

Now that there was every reason to dread the king’s death,
even the priests were full of his praise. They praised the
wisdom and boldness of his new creations, the circumspec-
tion of his measures, his unwearied industry, his mode-
ration, the keenness of his wit.

“ How the prosperity of Egypt has increased under his
rule,” saida nomarch. “ What fame he brought us by his
conquest of Cyprus, and his war with the Libyans ! ” cried a
captain. “ How beautifully he adorned our temples, and
how greatly he honoured the goddess of Sais ! ” added a
minstrel of Neith. “ How condescending and gracious he
was ! ” murmured a courtier. “ How well he managed to
keep peace with the great states ! ” said the chief scribe ;
while the treasurer wiped away a tear, and cried : “ How
wisely he dealt with the revenues of the country ! The
treasury has not been so full since the time of Ramses II.”
“Psamtik can look forward to a rich inheritance,” mur-
mured the courtier ; while the warrior cried : “ But he
will scarcely use it for glorious wars. The prince submits
to the priests entirely.” “ You are mistaken,” returned
the minstrel, “for some time our master has seemed to
despise the advice of his most faithful servants.” M After
such a father,” cried the nomarch, “it will be hard to gain

, THE WEDDING.

373

universal approval. Not everyone possesses tlie great
intellect, the luck, or the wisdom of Amasis.” “ The gods
know that,” murmured the warrior.

Tachot heard their words, and wept freely. What had
till now been concealed from her was confirmed — she was
soon to lose her beloved father.

After she had tried to grasp the terrible certainty, and
in vain begged her attendants to take her to her father’s
couch, she withdrew her attention from the conversation
of the courtiers, and looked at the sistrum which Bartja
had put into her hand, and which she had taken with her
on to the balcony, as though it gave her comfort. And
she found what she sought, for it seemed to her as
though the sound of the golden rings of the instrument
carried her out of the world into a sunny region. The
swoon-like languor to which consumptive people are sub-
ject came upon her, and cheered her last hours with sweet
dreams.

The slaves who kept the flies from the sleeper with their
fans asserted afterwards that Tachot had never looked
more lovely.

She had lain thus for about an hour, when her breathing
grew deeper. She coughed slightly, and blood trickled
from her lips on to her white dress. The sleeper awoke,
and looked around with surprise and disappointment.
When she saw her mother, Ladice, who came on to the
balcony at that moment, she smiled again, and said : “ Oh,
mother, I have had such a sweet dream ! ”

“Then the visit to the temple did my beloved child
good ? 99 asked the queen, who noticed with terror the blood
on her daughter’s lips.

“ Yes, mother, yes. I have seen him again.”

Ladice looked with alarm at her daughter’s attendants,
as though to ask : “Is your poor mistress’s mind also
afflicted?”

Tachot saw the look, and said with feverish excitement :

“ You think I am delirious, mother. But, indeed, I not
only saw him, I also spoke to him. He put the sistrum
into my hand, and said he was my friend. Then he took
my lotus flower, and vanished in the crowd. Do not look
at me so anxiously, and with such astonishment, mother.

374

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

I am speaking the truth, and am not dreaming. There,
you hear, Tent-rut saw him too. I am sure he has come to
Sais for my sake ; and the child oracle in the court of the
temple did not deceive me. Now I no # longer feel ill, and
I dreamed I lay in a "blooming poppy field, red as the
bright blood of sacrificial lambs. Bartja sat by me, and
Nitetis knelt beside us, and played beautiful songs on a
nabla of ivory . 1 And there were sounds in the air that
made me feel as though Horus, the god of dawn, of spring,
and of the resurrection, kissed me. I tell you, mother,
he will come soon, and when I am well, then — Oh,
mother, I am dying ! ”

Ladice knelt by her daughter's side, and pressed burn-
ing kisses on the maiden’s closed eyes. An hour later she
stood by another couch — her husband’s deathbed.

The king’s face was distorted by acute suffering, cold
perspiration covered his brow, and his hands clutched the
golden lions that formed the arms of the deep invalid
chair in which he rested.

When Ladice entered the room he opened his eyes, which
still sparkled with keen intelligence, in spite of their
late blindness.

“ Why did you not bring Tachot to me ? ” he asked,
dryly.

<f She is very ill, and suffers so that — ”

“ She is dead. All is well with her, for death is no
punishment, hut the chief goal of life, the only goal to
which we can attain without difficulty ; hut the gods know
with how much suffering. Ra will take her home in his boat
with those who are faithful to him ; and Osiris will receive
her, for she is innocent. Nitetis, too, is dead. Where is
Nebenchari’s letter? There it is : ‘ She killed herself, and
died cursing you and yours. This news, which is true as
my hate for you, is sent you by the poor, exiled, despised,
and robbed oculist from Babylon to Egypt.’

“ Listen to these words, Psamtik, and let your dying father
assure you that every wrong act which brings you a drachma
of pleasure on earth will he repaid you at your death with
a talent of despair. Eor Nitetis’ sake, terrible misfortunes

1 Ancient Egyptian harp.

THE WEDDING.

375

will come over Egypt. The news brought by the Arabian
merchants is true. Cambyses is arming against us, and
will attack Egypt like the burning wind of the desert.
Much that I have created, and for which I gave up sleep
and strength, will be destroyed. But still I have not lived
in vain, for forty years I have been the anxious father
and the benefactor of a great people. Distant descen-
dants will utter Amasis’ name as that of a great and
wise king, who loved mankind ; and on my buildings at
Sais and Thebes they will read the founder’s name with
admiration, and will praise the greatness of his power.
Osiris and the twenty-four judges of the Nether World
will not condemn me, and the goddess of truth, the mistress
of the scales , 1 will find that my good deeds outweigh my
evil ones.”

The king sighed, and was silent for a long time. At last
he looked at his wife with deep affection, and said :
“ Ladice, you have been a faithful, virtuous wife to me. I
thank you, and ask your pardon for much. We often mis-
understood each other. It was easier for me to understand
your people than for you to understand the Egyptians.
You know how greatly I esteemed the wisdom "of your
countrymen, and how I loved to associate with your friend
Pythagoras, who had penetrated so deeply into all that
we know and believe, and had accepted much with pleasure.
He who valued the deep significance of doctrines, which
seem to me holier than all else, took care not to scoff at
the wisdom which the priests hide too anxiously, perhaps,
from the people. The people submit willingly to what
they cannot grasp, and to those who instruct them ; but
would it not be better and nobler to teach men to under-
stand the truth, and to elevate them, instead of degrading
them ? It is true the priests would find less obedient ser-
vants, but the gods would find readier, worthier wor-
shippers. Ladice, you found it most difficult to reconcile
yourself to the worship of animals ; but I think it would
be better, and more worthy of man, to worship the Creator
in his works than in stone images. Besides, your gods
are subject to all human weaknesses ; indeed, I should

1 The goddess of truth weighs the souls of the dead in the Nether
World. Hence her name, £< Mistress of the Scales.”

376

AN EGYPTIAN PBINCESS.

have made my queen unhappy if I had lived the life of
Zeus.”

At these words the king smiled. Then he continued ;
“ Do you know the reason ? The Greeks prefer beauty of
form to all else ; and so they cannot part the soul from the
body, which they think the most beautiful form of all ; they
declare that a beautiful soul must dwell in a beautiful
body. Their gods are, therefore, merely glorified men,
while we recognize the Deity in nature and in ourselves as
an immaterial force. Between this power and man are the
animals, who do not act, as we do, according to the letter
of the law, but according to the eternal law of nature.
The former was merely imagined by man, and the latter
owes its origin to the Deity. Who among us strives for
liberty and the highest good as animals do ? Who lives as
uniformly from generation to generation, without teaching
or counsel, as they do? ”

Here the king’s voice failed him, but he continued, after
a pause: “I feel that the end is approaching, therefore,
enough of these things. My son and successor, let me tell
you my last will. Act in accordance with it, for experience
speaks to you. But, alas ! I have seen hundreds of times
in my long life that the advice of others is futile. No
man may gain experience for another. We become care-
ful by our own loss; we become wise by what we learn
ourselves. You ascend the throne in mature years, and
have had time enough to reflect on right and wrong, good
and evil, and to see and compare things of every descrip-
tion. I will, therefore, give you no general advice, but will
confine myself to some useful counsel. I give it to you
with my right hand, but I fear you will take it with the
left.

“ Above all, you must know that during these last few
months, in spite of my blindness, I was only apparently
indifferent to your proceedings, and intentionally left you
free play. Rhodopis once told me a fable of her teacher,
iEsop. A traveller met a man, and asked him how long
he would take before he reached the next town. * Go on,’
was the answer. * But first I want to know when I shall
reach the town/ ‘Go on, go on ! ’ The traveller went on,
swearing. After he had gone on a few steps, the man he

THE WEDDING-.

877

abused called after him : * You will need an hour to reach
the town. I could not answer jour question till I saw how
fast you walked ! *

“I remembered this fable, and in silence observed jour
method of governing, in order to tell you whether you
went too slowly or too quickly. Now I know what I wished
to learn, and in addition to my advice, I bid you : < Test every-
thing yourself.’ It is the duty of everyone, especially of a
king, to make himself acquainted with all that concerns
those for whose weal he must care. My son, you see too
much with the eyes of others ; you hear too much with
other ears. You go too little to the original source. Your
advisers, the priests, wish only what is best, but —
Neithotep, pray leave us alone for a moment.”

As soon as the chief priest had gone, the king cried :
“ They want what is good, but only what they think good.
But we are not the kings of priests and nobles, but the
rulers of the people. Do not, therefore, attend solely to
the advice of that j)roud caste, but convince yourself, read
all petitions yourself, and choose faithful nomarehs, who
will submit to you, and who are loved by the people. It is
what the Egyptians need, what they hope for, and must
have. If you know exactly how matters stand in the
realm, then it will be easy to rule. Choose only the best
officials. I cared for the proper division of the land ; our
laws are good, and time has proved that they are so.
Keep to them, and trust no one who pretends to be wiser
than the law, for, I assure you, law is always and every-
where wiser than the individual ; and he ^ho transgresses
it is worthy of punishment. No one knows that better
than the people, who sacrifice themselves for us more cheer-
fully, in proportion to the readiness with which we sacrifice
our personal wishes to the law. You do not love the people.
Their voice is wont to be rough, it is true, but it usually
expresses sound views ; it knows no lie, and no one needs
truth more than a king. The Pharaoh who obeys priests
and courtiers most readily will hear most flattery ; he who
tries to carry out the desires of the people will have to suffer
much from those around, but his heart will bo satisfied,
and posterity will praise him. I have often done wrong
in my life, and yet the Egyptians will weep for me, for I

878

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

knew their wants, and was anxious for their welfare, like a
father. It is easy and pleasant for a king who knows his
duty to gain the love of the people ; it is a thankless task
to gain the applause of the nobles, and impossible to
satisfy both parties.

4 4 -Always remember — I must repeat this — that you and
the priests are there for the sake of the people, not the people
for you and the priests. Honour religion for its own sake,
and because it is the real support of the obedience of the
nation to its king, but show its teachers that you look on
them, not as vessels, but as servants of the deity. They
have known how to place themselves above the Deity in the
minds of the people, and made the Egyptians obedient
slaves of the priesthood rather than servants of the gods.
This work of theirs, which has lasted for ages, no ruler
can undo ; but we can check them when they try to sub-
ordinate the life of the state to their individual aims.
Believe me, my son, the priests are ready at any time, as
soon as they see the power of their caste endangered, to
injure — even to destroy — the weal of the community.

44 Keep to what is old, as the law commands, but
never close your country against what is new, if it is an
improvement. Wrongdoers easily break from the old ;
fools think what is strange and new is alone desirable ;
narrow-minded people, or selfish owners of privilege, cling
firmly to what is old, and call progress a sin. Wise men
try to keep what the past has proved to be good, to do
away with what has become injurious, and to adopt what
is useful, wherever it comes from. Act in accordance with
that maxim, my son. The priests will try to urge you
back, the G-reeks to urge you forwards. Keep to one party
or the other, but beware of standing in the middle, and
of yielding to-day to the one, to-morrow to the other. He
who tries to sit on two stools will end by sitting on the
ground. Let one party be your friend, the other your
enemy, for if you try to keep friendly with both, both will
soon be your enemies. It is the nature of people to hate
those who show kindness to their foes.

44 During these last months, while you ruled indepen-
dently, your unfortunate vacillation offended both parties.
He who now advances, now goes back, like the children,

THE WEDDING.

m

reaches the goal too late, and grows weary before his
time. I kept with the Greeks, and opposed the priests
till I felt my end approach. The brave, clever Greeks
seemed particularly useful for the active business of life,
but for death, I need those who give passports to the Nether
World. May the gods pardon me, that even in dying, I
cannot close my lips against such frivolous words. They
made me what I am, and must take me as I am. I rubbed
my hands when I became king, may you lay your hand on
your heart, when you ascend the throne. Summon Neithotep,
I must say something to you both. 5 '

When the chief priest stood beside him, the king held out
his hand to him and said : “ I part from you without anger,
though I think that you know better how to fulfil your duty
as a priest, than as a son of your country, and servant of
your king. I think Psamtik will obey you more readily
than I did. But I must impress this on both of you. Do
not discharge the Greek mercenaries, till with their help
you have fought and, I hope, conquered the Persians.
My former prophecies are of no value. We are less
sanguine when we are about to die. You will be hopelessly
lost without the auxiliary troops ; with their help it may
be possible for the Egyptian army to conquer. Be wise
and show the Ionians that on the Nile they are fighting
for their own homes. Cambyses, if victorious, will not be
content with Egypt, but the defeat of the Persians may
bring liberty to the subjected Ionians. I knew you would
agree with me, Neithotep, for you really desire what is
best for Egypt’s welfare. Now read me the sacred
prayers. I feel very exhausted. It will soon be over. I
wish I could forget poor Nitetis. Had she a right to
curse us ? May Osiris and the judges of the dead have
mercy on our souls. Sit here, Ladice, and lay your hand
on my forehead. Psamtik, swear in the presence of these
witnesses, to esteem your step-mother, and honour her as
though you were her own child. Poor wife, you must soon
follow me to Osiris. What will you do on earth without
husband and children ? We brought up Nitetis as our own
daughter, and yet we are heavily punished for her sake.
But her curse falls on ns alone, not on you, Psamtik, nor on
your children. Bring my grandchildren, the boy and girl.

380

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

I think that was a tear. Well, we usually find it hardest
to part from the little things we have grown used to.”

A new guest had arrived that evening at Ehodopis*
house, Callias, son of Phsenippus, whom we met when he
described the Olympic games.

The cheerful Athenian had just returned from his home,
and liad been received with joy as an old and trusted
friend, by the matron who initiated him into the secret of
the house. Cnacias, the old slave, had, it is true, taken
down the flag, during the last two days, but he knew that
Callias was always welcome to his mistress, and he there-
fore admitted him to her presence as readily as he would
have refused every other visitor.

The Athenian had a great deal to tell, and when
Rhodopis had left them on business, he took Sappho, his
favourite into the garden, in order, amid teazing and jest, to
watch with her for her eagerly-expected lover. When the
time passed, and he was still absent, and the maiden began to
grow anxious, he called old Melitta, who looked towards
Raucratis almost more anxiously than her mistress, and
asked her to fetch the lyre he had brought, into the garden.

After he had handed the girl the beautiful, somewhat
large lyre, of gold and ivory, he said : “ Divine Anacreon,
the inventor of this instrument, had this one made at my
desire. He calls ik barbiton , 1 and produces wonderful
sounds from it, which will continue to vibrate in the land
of shadows. I told your story to the poet, whose life is a
great sacrifice offered to the Muses, Eros, and Dionysius,
and promised to bring you as a gift from him this little
poem, which he composed for you. Listen : —

“ The daughter of Tantalus stands
A rock in the Phrygian wild,

Asa swallow to distant lands,

Once fluttered Pandion’a child.

“ And it’s, oh that I were a glass,

That you always might gaze on me,

And it’s, oh that my soul to a dress might pass,

To be constantly worn by thee.

1 Barbiton, a stringed instrument larger than the ordinary lyre.
Anacreon accompanied his songs on this instrument, and is said to have
Invented it.

THE WEEDING.

881

“ If you could but bathe therein,

I would water’s shape assume,

With perfumes you scent your skin,

I would turn to a sweet perfume.

** A girdle to bind your waist.

Or a pearl at your throat would I be,

And I’d turn to the shoe which is happily placed
On thy feet to be trod by thee.” 1

44 Are you angry with, the bold singer ? ”

“ How can I be ? We must allow poets to take liber-
ties ”

“ And sucb a poet.”

“ Who chooses so excellent a singer to bring his song.”

“ Flatterer. Yes, when I was twenty years younger my
voice and execution were rightly famed, bnt now — ”

“You want to obtain more praise, but you shall force
nothing further from me. I would like to know whether
this barbiton, as you call it, with its soft notes, is suited for
other songs than those of Anacreon P ”

“ Certainly. Take the plectrum 2 3 and try yourself to
strike its strings, which are certainly a little hard for your
delicate fingers to manage.”

“ I cannot sing. I am too anxious about Bartja.”

“ Or, in other words, you feel that longing deprives you
of your voice. Do you know the song of your Lesbian
ancestress, great Sappho, which pictures the mood in which
you probably find yourself nowP ”

“ I think not.”

u Then listen. Formerly I tried to gain applause with
this song, which seems to have been composed not by a
woman, hut by Eros himself.”

“ That happy man, it seems to me,

The equal of the gods must be,

Who can sit down and gaze on thee,

And hear thee speaking,

And laughing softly : for my part,

Thereat too fast would beat my heart,

For when I see thee, words depart,

And leave me choking.

1 Anacreon, ed. Melhorn Translated by J Barwick Hodge,

Esq.

3 A small ivory stick used to strike the strings.

S82

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

“ My lips are dumb ; a subtle flame
Seems to run swiftly o’er my frame,

My eyes are blind, and, peerless dame,

My ears beep singing ;

The sweat pours down me followed by
A tremor, and I nearly die,

The grass is not so pale as I
Appear to others.” 1

!< Well, what do yon think of this song ? By Hercules,
child, you have grown quite pale. Did the song move you
so, or are you only agitated by the faithful description of
your loving heart. Compose yourself. Who can tell what
is keeping your lover ? ”

“ Nothing, nothing at all,” cried a cheerful voice at this
moment, and in another instant Sappho was in her lover’s
arms. . Callias looked on in silence, and smiled with plea-
sure at the beauty of the young couple.

“ But now,” said the prince, after he had been introduced
to Callias, “ I must see your grandmother at once. The
wedding must take place to-day instead of in four days.
Every hour’s delay may prove a source of danger. Is
Theopompus here ? ”

“ I think so,” answered Sappho, “ else I do not know why
grandmother stays so long in the house. But what do you
mean about the wedding P I thought — ”

“ Let us go in first, dearest, I think a storm is approach-
ing. The sky grows dark, and the air is becoming unbear-
ably sultry.”

“Come quickly, then,” cried Sappho, “if you do not
wish me to die of curiosity. You need not fear the storm.
Since my childhood it has never thundered or lightened in
Egypt at this time of year.” 2 3

“Then you will have a new experience to-day,” said
Callias, laughing ; “ a heavy drop of rain fell on my bald
head just now. The Nile swallows flew low over the waters
when I came, and a black cloud is spreading over the moon.

1 The second of the two odes of Sappho which have been preserved

in a complete form. Translated by J. Barwick Hodge, Esq.

3 Storms are very rare in Egypt, but they occasionally take place, as
we ourself actually experienced in January, 1870, Herod, iii. 10, nar-
rates as a very remarkable fact that it rained in Upper Egypt at the
time of our story.

THE WEDDING,

383

Come in quickly so that you do not get wet. Slave, see
that a black lamb 1 is sacrificed to the gods of the Nether
World,”

Theopompus was in Bhodopis’ sitting-room, as Sappho
had conjectured. He had just finished his account of
Zopyrus’ arrest and the expedition of Bart j a and his friends.
They were all the more pleased at the prince’s unexpected
arrival, because of the anxiety caused by recent events.
He gave a rapid account of what had taken place during
the last few hours, and Theopompus offered to provide a
quick ship for him and his friends.

“ That is capital,” cried Callias. “ My own trireme, which
brought me to Naucratis to-day, is in the harbour, per-
fectly ready, and at your service. I need only order the
helmsman to keep the crew together and have everything
in readiness. You owe me no thanks. I must rather thank
you for the honour you confer on me. Here, Cnacias, hurry to
my slave, Philomelus, who is waiting in the ante-chamber.
Bid him row to the harbour and order Nausarchus, my
helmsman, to have everything ready for departure. Take
him this seal, which will give him full authority.”

“ And my slaves ? ” asked Bartja.

“ Cnacias shall order my old steward to take them to
Callias’ ship,” answered Theopompus.

“When they see this token they will obey at once,”
added Bartja, handing his ring to the old servant.

When Cnacias had retired with a low bow, the prince
continued : “ But now, my mother, I have an urgent request
to make.”

“ I guess what it is,” said Bhodopis, smiling. “ You
wish to hasten the wedding, and I see that I must yield to
your desire.”

“ If I am not mistaken,” cried Callias, “ a rare case is
presented; two people thoroughly rejoice at the danger
which threatens them.”

“ Perhaps you are right,” answered Bartja, secretly press-
ing his love’s hand. Then he turned to Bhodopis and
begged her to give him, at once, her dearest treasure, whose
worth he well knew.

1 The Greeks were accustomed to sacrifice a black lamb to approach-
ing storms, which belonged to the gods of the Nether World.

384

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

Rhodopis raised herself to her full height, laid her right
hand on Sappho’s head, her left on Bartja’s, and said :

“ Children, there is a legend that in the land of roses a
blue lake now ebbs gently, now rises in storms, and that
the water of this lake tastes sweet as honey, bitter as
gall. Ton will learn to know the meaning of this legend,
and in the hoped-for land of matrimony pass through
hours calm and stormy, bitter and sweet. While you
were a child, Sappho, your days passed unclouded, like a
spring morn. As soon as you became a loving maiden,
your heart was opened to pain which has become a well-
known guest there, during these long months of parting,
a guest who will appear as long as you live. Bart j a, it
will be your duty to keep this importunate guest from
Sappho as far as it lies in your power. I know mankind,
and before Croessus assured me of your noble character, I
knew you were worthy of Sappho. Therefore I allowed
you to eat the quince with her, therefore I unhesitatingly
give up to you the being whom till now I kept as a sacred
pledge entrusted to me. Look on your wife in this light,
as a treasure lent to you, for nothing is more dangerous
for love than the sure confidence of exclusive possession.
I have been blamed because I allow this inexperienced
child to go forth to your distant home, where the con-
ditions are so unfavourable to women. But I know love,
and I know that a loving girl has no other home than
the heart of the man to whom she gives herself, that a
woman, wounded by Eros, heeds no misfortune but that of
living apart from the man of her choice. Besides, Callias
and Theopompus, I appeal to you, are your wives much
better off than the Persian women P Does the Ionian or
Attic woman not spend her life in the women’s apartments,
like the Persian ; is she not glad, if, as an exceptional
favour, she is allowed to cross the street, deeply veiled, and
accompanied by watchful slaves ? As to the polygamy of
the Persians, I fear neither for Sappho nor for Bart j a. He
will be more faithful to his wife than a Greek, for in Sappho
he will find combined what you Greeks, Callias, seek partly
in the cultivated hetserse, partly in marriage. In the one
housewives and mothers, in the others intelligent and
animating companions. Take her, my son, I give you Sappho,

THE WEDDING,

385

gladly and trustfully, as an old warrior joyfully gives
his strong son the best of his possessions, his weapons.
Though she is going far away she will still remain a Greek,
and, what is a great consolation to me, she will bring honour
to the name of Greek in her new home, and win new friends
for Greece. I thank you for your tears, my child, I can
control mine, but I have paid Tate a heavy price for
this power.. The gods hear your oath, noble Bart j a.
Never forget it, and accept her as your property, your
friend, your wife. Take her away as soon as your com-
panions return. The gods do not wish that the epitha-
lamium should be sung at Sappho’s wedding.”

With these words Bhodopis joined their hands, embraced
Sappho affectionately, and breathed a soft kiss on the
young Persian’s brow. Then she turned to her Greek
friends, who were deeply moved, and said :

“ That was a silent wedding, without song or torchlight.
May the union be all the happier. Melitta, go and fetch
the wedding jewels of the bride, the bracelets and chains,
which lie in the bronze casket on my dressing-table, so
that our darling may give her hand to her husband as
befits a future princess.” 1

‘‘Hasten,” cried Callias, whose cheerfulness had re-
turned. But the niece of the greatest singer of epithala-
mia must not enter her nuptial chamber without music.
As the house of the young husband is too far away, we will
suppose that the empty andronitis is his dwelling. We
will lead the maiden through the middle door, and enjoy
a pleasant meal by the hearth of the house. Hither,
slaves, form two choruses. You must enact the youths,
you others the maidens. Sing Sappho’s epithalamium, * As
in the Mountains.’ I will be the torch-bearer. This office is
mine by right. You must know, Bart j a, that my family
has the hereditary right of bearing the torches at the
Eleusyan mysteries, hence we are called Daduchs, cr torch-
bearers. Slave, place wreaths on the door of the andronitis,
and order your fellows to pelt us with sweets when we
enter. Why, Melitta, how were you able to procure those

1 A Greek bride appeared in costly jewels, and was anointed with
perfumes after the bath which both bride and bridegroom were obliged
to take.

386

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

beautiful bridal wreaths of violets and myrtle so quickly ?
The rain is pouring through the opening in the roof.
Look, Hymen has persuaded Zeus to help you to keep the old
marriage customs. As you cannot have the bath which bride
and bridegroom are wont to take on the morning of the
wedding, according to ancient custom, you must come here
for a minute and let this moisture sent by Zeus repre-
sent holy spring water. How begin your song, maidens.
Let the maid lament the loss of the time of roses, and the
youths praise the fate of the newly-married.”

Five high, well-trained voices began plaintively to sing
the chorus of maidens : —

“ As in the mountains the shepherds oft trample under their footsteps
The hyacinth, so that the purple blossom is broken and falleth
Unto the earth, where unheeded it lies in the dust till it fadeth,

So is the maiden, who yielding of her chastity the fair flower,

Is scorned by all the youths and avoided by all the maidens.

Hymen, O Hymenaeus, O Hymen, come Hymenaeus.”

The other deeper chorus answered the girls joyously : —

“ As on the desolate meadow the vine which in solitude mourneth,
Wedded unto the elms rises upwards, and fruits and tendrils
_ Are twined round the lofty treetop, the greatest joy of the peasant,

So is the woman who wedded, in the midst of her joy and her beauty.

Is loved by her lord, and Alls with pleasure the hearts of her parents.
Hymen, O Hymenaeus, 0 Hymen, come Hymenaeus.” 1

How both choruses joined and repeated the longing and
yet joyful, “Hymen, 0 Hymenaeus, come.” Suddenly the
song ceased, for a flash of lightning which was followed hy
a clap of thunder, darted through the opening in the roof
under which Callias had placed the newly-married pair.
“You see,” cried the Daduch, “Zeus himself lights the
wedding torch, and sings the epithalamium for his
favourites.”

When the morning dawned Bart j a and Sappho left the
bridal chamber, and entered the garden, which appeared
bright and fresh as the faces of the young couple, after
the storm, which had raged all night with unusual violence.

_ 1 The first two verses alone are still extant as Sappho wrote them.
Catullus 5 imitation, judging from the existing verses, we might almost
tay translation, had to be used for the rest.

THE WEDDTtfa.

387

Both had risen early from their couch, because Bartja’s
anxiety for his friends, forgotten in his joy, had awakened
with increased strength.

The garden lay on an artificial hill, that rose above
the flooded plain, which could be overlooked from there.
Blue and white lotus flowers floated on the surface of the
Nile, near the shore, and in the shallows appeared great
swarms of water-fowl. The silver herons on the shore,
looked like snow on the mountain tops. Solitary broad-
winged eagles circled in the pure morning air. Doves
swayed to and fro on the tops of the palms. The pelicans
and ducks flew up screaming and chattering whenever the
gay sail of a boat appeared. A fresh north-east wind
blew through the air, which the storm had cooled, and,
though it was early, drove a number of boats over the
flooded fields. The songs of the sailors mingled with the
splashing of the oars and the twittering of the birds,
helped to enliven the landscape of the flooded Nile, bright
in spite of its monotony.

The young pair stood close together by the low wall
which surrounded the garden of Rhodopis, whispering
loving words, as they looked on the scene, till Bartja’s
keen eye discovered a boat, which strong oarsmen, aided
by the wind, were directing straight towards Rhodopis'
house.

A few minutes later the boat reached the wall, and soon
afterwards Zopyrus and his preservers appeared before the
prince. Darius’ plan had succeeded, thanks to the storm,
which had alarmed the Egyptians, by its violence, and
the unusual time of its occurrence, but no time was to
be lost, for it was to be expected that the inhabitants of
Sais would use every effort to capture the fugitives.

After a brief but very tender farewell, Sappho parted
from her grandmother, and accompanied by old Melitta,
who followed her to Persia, entered Syloson’s boat with
Bartja’s help; an hour later they reached the beautiful
Hygieia the swift ocean ship of Callias.

The Athenian awaited the fugitives on board the trireme,
and took a particularly affectionate leave of Sappho and
Bart j a. The latter placed a costly chain round his neck
as a token of his gratitude, while Syloson put his scarlet

888

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

cloak on Darius 3 shoulders in memory of their common
danger. It was a masterpiece of the Sidonian dyers which
had aroused the admiration of the son of Hystaspes. Darius
joyfully accepted the gift, and cried to Polycrates’ brother
on leaving :

“My Greek friend, remember always that I owe you
much gratitude, and give me a chance of repaying you as
soon as possible.’ 3

“Put first you must come to me,” cried the liberated
prisoner, embracing his preserver. “ I am ready to share
my last coin with you, and more than that, to spend a
whole week for your sake in the accursed hole from
which you freed me. The anchor is weighed. Farewell,
my good Greek. Greet the flower-sisters from me, espe-
cially little Stephanion, and tell her she owes it to me
that her tiresome, long-legged lover will not annoy her
again for some time. Take this purse of money and give
it to the wife and children of the interfering Egyptian
whom I treated so badly in the heat of the fight.”

During these words the anchors fell clattering on tho
deck, the wind swelled the hoisted sails, and the monotonous
- Celeusma was heard from the trireme, the trieraulos mark-
ing the time on his flute. The prow of the boat, with
its wooden image of Hygieia, began to move. Bart j a
and Sappho stood by the helm, and looked long towards
Naucratis, till the shores of the Nile disappeared from
sight, and the blue waves of the Hellenic sea splashed
against the sides of the trireme.

CHAPTER XXVUI.

THE BATTLE.

A T Ephesus the young couple heard the news of Amasis*
death. Thence they proceeded first to Babylon and
then to Pasargada, in the province of Persia. Cassan-
dane, Atossa, and Croesus were there. The former had
felt a longing to visit the monument which had recently
been erected to her husband, according to Croesus’ plans,
before the expedition to Egypt, which she was to accom-
pany. The queen, who had regained her eyesight by
Nebenchari’s skill, was delighted with the magnificent
monument, and spent hours daily in the beautiful gardens
which surrounded it.

Cyrus’ tomb consisted of a gigantic sarcophagus of
marble, which, like a house, rested on a foundation of
six high marble steps. The interior was furnished like
a room, and besides the golden coffin, on which rested
the remains of Cyrus, spared by the dogs, the vultures, and
the elements, it contained a silver bed and a table of the
same metal, on which were placed golden cups, many gar-
ments and splendid jewels.

The building was about forty feet high. It was sur-
rounded by shady paradises 1 and colonnades, which owed
their origin to Croesus, and in the midst of the grove was
a house for the magi, who had charge of the tomb. Cyrus*
palace which, according to his decree, the future kings of
Persia were to inhabit for at least a few months in every
year, was visible in the distance. This splendid building,
which resembled a fortress, and was almost ina ccessible,
contained the treasures of the kingdom.

1 Persian pleasure gardens.

390

XN EGYPTIAN FRIKCBSS.

Cassandane felt at her ease in the fresh mountain air,
which blew round the tomb of her beloved husband. She
saw with pleasure that in this calm place Atossa recovered
her former cheerfulness, which had left her since Mtetis*
death and Darius’ departure. Sappho soon became inti-
mate with her new mother and sister, and like them, left
beautiful Pasargada with reluctance.

Darius and Zopyrus had remained with the great army
which was assembling in the plains of the Euphrates, and
Bart j a was also obliged to return to Babylon before its
departure.

Cambyses came to meet his family, and spoke with ad-
miration of the beauty of his new sister-in-law, while
Sappho, as she confessed to her husband, could not look
at her brother-in-law without fear.

The king had changed greatly in a few months. His
pale features, which were naturally well formed, had
become ugly and flushed by immoderate drinking. His
dark eyes had, it is true, retained their old fire, but they
burned with an impure flame. His hair, formerly raven
black, hung wild and grey from head and chin, aiid the
proud, triumphant smile, which once gave beauty to his
face, had given way to an expression of contemptuous dis-
gust and harsh severity. He only laughed when intoxi-
cated, a condition that had long ceased to be anything
unusual, but it was a wild horse-laugh.

He still showed aversion to his wives, and left his
harem in Susa, even when he started for Egypt, while his
nobles took their favourite wives and concubines with
them. In spite of this, no one could accuse him of in-
justice. He was, if anything, more particular that justice
should be carried out, and if he discovered that it had been
abused, he was inexorable, and pronounced cruel punish-
ments. When, for instance, he heard that a judge,
Sisamnes, had pronounced an unjust sentence in return for
a bribe, he had the unhappy man flayed, and the judg-
ment seat covered with his skin ; then he appointed the son
of the man he had punished to be his successor, and forced
him to sit in this horrible cbair. He also showed himself
indefatigable as a general, and superintended the drill of
the troops assembled at Babylon with severity and s kill .

THE BATTLE.

391

After the new year’s feast, the army was to march.
Cambyses celebrated the feast sumptuously at an enor-
mous expense, and at the end of the festivities joined the
army, where he met his brother, who, radiant with j v oy,
kissed his garment, and told him triumphantly that he
hoped soon to be a father. The king trembled at the
news, returned no answer to Bartja, became perfectly in-
toxicated that night, and the next morning summoned the
mobeds, magi, and Chaldoeans, in order to ask them a
question.

“ Yon know,” he began, “ that when you interpreted my
dream, you asserted that Atossa would be the mother of
the future king of this realm. Shall I sin against the
gods if I wed my sister, and bring about what my dream
promised P ”

The magi consulted for a short time, then Oropastes,
the chief priest, prostrated himself before the king and
said : “ We do not believe that you would sin through this
marriage, for in the first place it is the custom of the
Persians to wed their relations, 1 and secondly, though the
law does not say that a pure man may wed his sister, it ^
says that the king may do as he pleases. Act as you wish,
and you will always do right.” 2

Cambyses dismissed the magi with rich gifts, invested
Oropastes with full authority as governor, and later on an-
nounced to his horrified mother that as soon as he had
conquered the Egyptians and punished Amasis’ son, he
intended to marry his sister Atossa.

At last the army, which consisted of more than eight
hundred thousand warriors, left in separate detachments,
and after two months reached the Syrian desert, where it
was joined by the Arab tribes, the Amalekites, and the
G-eshurites, who had been won over by Phanes, and who
supplied the troops with water, which they had brought
on horses and camels.

Near Akko, in the land of the Canaan ites, the fleets of
the Syrians, Phoenicians, and the Ionians, who were subjects

1 According to Anquetil, modern Persians esteem a marriage among
near relations very highly.

* llerod. iii. 31.

892

A.N EGYPTIAN PBINCESS.

of the Persian realm, assembled together with the auxiliary
troops from Cyprus and Santos won by Phanes. There
was a peculiar circumstance connected with the latter.
Polycrates looked on Cambyses , invitation to send troops
as a favourable opportunity of ridding himself at one blow
of all those citizens who were discontented with his absolute
rule. He therefore manned ten triremes with eight thou-
sand dissatisfied Samians, and sent them to the Persians
with the request that none of them might be allowed to
return.

As soon as Phanes learned this, he warned the Samians
who, instead of fighting against Egypt, returned to Samos,
and tried to overthrow Polycrates. He defeated them,
however, in a battle, and they went to Sparta to seek help
against the tyrant.

A whole month before the time of the floods, the Per-
sian army faced the Egyptians at Pelusium, on the north-
west of the Delta. All Phanes’ preparations had turned
out well. The journey of an army through the desert,
which was wont to cost thousands of lives, had been
effected with little loss, thanks to the Arabs, who had
fulfilled their promise faithfully, and the time of year,
which was happily chosen, allowed the Persian soldiers
to enter Egypt on dry land and without delay.

The king received his G-reek friend with great distinction,
and nodded pleasantly, when the latter cried: “I hear
you are less gay than before the death of your fair friend.
It is well for a man to cling to his grief ; a woman gives
vent to her sorrow in violent but brief laments. I feel
with you, for I, too, have lost what I loved best. Let us
thank the gods together, that they have granted us war
and vengeance — the best remedies for sorrow.”

Then Phanes accompanied the ruler to the army and to
the feast. It was wonderful how he influenced the fierce
man ; how temperate, even cheerful, Cambyses became as
soon as the Athenian entered his presence.

The Persian army was, indeed, enormous; but the
number of the Egyptian troops was by no means con-
temptible. Their camp extended along the walls of Pelu-
sium, the frontier fortress which since ancient times was
destined to preserve Egypt from the attacks of the nations

THE BATTLE.

393

of the east. Deserters assured the Persians that the entire
army of the Pharaoh consisted of nearly six hundred
thousand men.

Besides a large number of chariot soldiers, thirty thou-
sand Carian and Ionian mercenaries, and the gendarme
corps of the Mazaiu , 1 two hundred and fifty thousand
Calasiries, one hundred and sixty thousand Hermoty-
bies, twenty thousand horsemen, and more than fifty
thousand auxiliary troops, among whom the Libyan Mas-
davasha 3 were especially distinguished for their ancient
martial fame, the Ethiopians by their great number as-
sembled under Psam tile’s banner.

The infantry was divided into regiments and companies
which assembled round different standards. Each division
was distinguished by different arms. Here stood heavily
armed men, with large shields, lances, and daggers ; war-
riors armed with axe and sword, with small shields and
light clubs, and men with slings. The chief part of the
army consisted of archers, whose unstrung bows were
almost as high as a man. The riders wore only loin cloths,
and had light clubs, while chariot soldiers who belonged to
the noblest of the caste of warriors went to the battle in
rich dress, and spent large sums on the trappings of their
splendid far-famed horses, and on their magnificent four-
wheeled chariots. Beside them stood the charioteer, while
they themselves, eager for the fray, were accustomed to
fight with bow and lance.

The infantry of the Persians did not exceed that of the
Egyptians in number; but the Asiatic cavalry waB six
times as numerous as that of the inhabitants of the Nile
valley.

As soon as the two armies faced each other, Cambyses
gave orders that the wide Pelusian plain should be cleared
of the hushes, trees, and sandhills that appeared here and
there, in order to allow his cavalry and scythe-chariots
free play. Phanes assisted him with his accurate know-
ledge of the locality, and managed so well that his battle-
plan, which was drawn up with great strategic insight,

1 A corps consisting partly of foreigners, whose duty it was to guard
prisoners of war.

2 Frobably the North African Maxyes mentioned by Herodotus.

394

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

was adopted, not only by. Cambyses, but also by the
old general, Megabyzus, and the most experienced Achse-
menidse. His knowledge of tbe locality was particularly
valuable, on account of tbe marshes which crossed the
Pelusian plain, and which would have to be avoided if the
battle was to end favourably for the Persians.

When the council of war was ended, Phanes again asked
leave to speak, and said : “ Now at last I may satisfy your
curiosity with regard to the closed waggons full of animals
which I had brought hither. They contain five thousand
cats. You laugh ; but I can assure you these animals will
be more useful to us than a hundred thousand swordsmen.
Many of you know the superstition of the Egyptians, which
makes them prefer death to killing a cat. I myself nearly
lost my life because I killed some of these animals. I
remembered this superstition, and collected all the cats
I could obtain wherever I came — in Cyprus, where there
are splendid cats ; in Samos, Crete, and Syria. I would
suggest that they should be distributed among those
troops which are opposed to Egyptians, and the men be
ordered to fasten the sacred animals to their shields, and
to hold them towards their assailants. I wager that every
true Egyptian would rather leave the field than shoot at
one of these revered animals.”

Loud laughter greeted this proposal, which was agreed
to after some deliberation, and orders were given that it
should be carried out at once.

Cambyses offered the ingenious Greek his hand to kiss,
rewarded his plan with a magnificent gift, and urged him
to wed a noble Persian. Then he invited him to supper,
but Phanes excused himself, as he was obliged to review
the Ionian troops, whom he scarcely knew, and whom he
was to lead, and went to his tent.

At the entrance he found his slaves disputing with a
bearded, ragged, dirty old man, who insisted on speaking
with him. Phanes thought he was a beggar, and threw
him a gold coin ; but the old man did not even stoop to
pick it up, but seized the Athenian’s cloak, and cried : “I
am Aristomachus of Sparta ! ”

Phanes now recognized his friend, who was woefully
altered, led him into his tent, where his feet were washed,

THE BATTLE.

395

and his head was anointed ; gave liim wine and food to
strengthen him ; removed his rags, and put a new chiton
round his thin, muscular shoulders.

Aristomachus submitted in silence. When the food and
wine had restored his strength, he answered the questions
of the eager Athenian, and told him his story :

When Psamtik murdered the little son of Phanes, Aris-
tomachus declared that he would induce his subordinates
to leave Amasis’ service unless his friend's daughter were
at once set at liberty, and a satisfactory explanation given
of the death of the boy. The crown prince promised to
consider the matter. When, two days later, the Spartan
went at night on the Nile to Memphis, he was seized by
Ethiopian warriors* bound, and flung into the dark hold
of a ship, which, after a journey of many days and nights,
anchored on a coast unknown to him. Here the prisoner
was taken from his dungeon, and led in an easterly direc-
tion through a desert in the glowing heat, past strangely
shaped rocks. At last he reached a mountain, at the
foot of which were built innumerable huts, inhabited by
a number of men, who, with chains on their hands and
feet, were driven every morning into the pit of a mine, to <
hew gold out of the hard rock. 1 Many of these unhappy
miners had lived for more than forty years in this place of
misery ; but most of them soon fell victims to the great
exertions demanded of them, and to the terrible heat
to which they were exposed as soon as they left the
pit.

w My companions,” said Aristomachus, “ were mostly
murderers, who had been condemned to death and re-
prieved, traitors deprived of their tongues, men who, like
myself, were dangerous to the king. Por three months I
worked with this rabble, beaten by overseers, languishing
in the heat of the sun, freezing when the cold dew of night
fell on my naked limbs, chosen for death, and only living
and prolonging life with the hope of avenging myself on

1 Piodor, iit 12, gives a full account of the forced labour at these
mines. The mines were situated in the latitude of Coptas, near the
Ked Sea. Traces of them have recently been found. A map of these
mines in a peculiar projection is preserved in a papyrus in the Turin
Museum, reproduced by Chabas, Les Inscriptions des mines d’or,**

396

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

my persecutors. The gods -willed that our guardians took
too much wine at the feast of Pacht, as is the custom of
the Egyptians, so that they slept heavily, and did not
notice that I and a young Jew, who was accused of
having used false weights, and was therefore deprived
of his right hand, seized the opportunity for flight. Zeus
Lacedoemon, and the great G-od of the youth, assisted us
and baffled our pursuers, whose voices we often heard
close behind us. I procured food with the bow which I
had taken from one of our guards. Where there was no
game we ate roots, fruit, and birds’ eggs. The position of
the sun and stars helped us to find the right way. We
knew that the Bed Sea flowed near the mines, and that we
were south of Memphis and Thebes. We soon reached the
coast, and went towards the north with unwearied steps, till
we met some kindhearted sailors, who took care of us till an
Arab boat took us up and brought me and the Jew, who
knew the language of the sailors, to Ezeongeber, in the land
of the Edomites. There we heard that Cambyses was going
to Egypt with a large army. We travelled to Harma with
a troop of Amalekite horsemen, who were to bring water
to the Persians. Thence I wandered to Pelusium with
stragglers of the great Asiatic army, who now and then took
compassion on me and put me on their horses. I heard that
you were the chief general of the king. I have kept my oath
and been faithful to the Greeks in Egypt. Now it is your
turn to help old Aristomachus, and procure for him the sole
thing which he longs for — revenge on his persecutors.”

“ You shall have it/’ cried the Athenian, and pressed the
old man’s hand. “ I will place you at the head of the
heavy Milesian troops, and allow you to rage against our
foes as you please. But that does not cancel my debt by
any means, and I thank the gods that I can make you
happy. Know that a few days after your disappearance
a Spartan ship of honour came to Naucratis, commanded
by your gallant son, in order to bring you, the father of
two Olympic victors, back to your home, by command of
the Ephors.”

At these words the old man trembled, his eyes filled with
tears, his lips murmured a prayer. Then he struck his
brow, and cried with trembling voice: “ Now it will become

THE BATTLE. 397

true. Pardon me, Phoebus Apollo, if I doubted the words
of your priestess. What said the oracle P

“ When from the snow-clad heights descend the men in their armour
Down to the shores of the winding stream which waters the valley,
Then the delaying boat shall conduct you unto the meadows,

Where the peace of home is to the wanderer given.

When from the snow-clad heights descend the men in their armour,
Then what the judging live have long refused shall be granted.”

Now the promise of the god will be fulfilled. Now I may
return. But first I raise my hand and ask Dice not to
deny me the joy of revenge.”

“ To-morrow the day of requital will dawn” cried Phanes,
joining in the old man’s prayer. “ To-morrow I will slay
the sacrifices for my dead son, and will not rest till Cambyses
has pierced the heart of Egypt with the arrow which I
pointed. Come now, my friend, and let me lead you to the
king. One man like you is worth more than a whole army
of Egyptians.”

The night had come, and as the unfortified camp of the
Persians made them fear that the enemy might attack
them, the soldiers stood drawn up at their posts. The
infantry leaned on their shields and spears, while the
cavalry kept their horses saddled and bridled by the
bivouac fires. Cambyses rode along the lines, inspiring
the warriors by his presence and greeting. The centre of the
army was not yet drawn up, for it consisted of the Persian
body-guard, the apple bearers, the Immortals, and the rela-
tions of the king, who were accustomed to accompany
their ruler against his foes. The Greeks of Asia Minor had
gone to rest, by Phanes’ command, instead of being drawn
up in battle array. The Athenian wished that his men
should he fresh, and allowed them to sleep peacefully, though
fully armed, while he watched for them. Aristomachus, who
had. been joyfully received by the Ionians, and kindly greeted
by the king, was to fight with half the Greeks on the
left wing, while Phanes stood with the remainder on the
right of the guards. The king intended to lead the battle
at tbe head of the ten thousand Immortals, before whom
waved the blue, red, and gold standard, and the flag of

398

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

Have. 1 Bart j a was to lead the Persian guards (a thousand
men), and the mail-clad cavalry.

Croesus commanded a division of the army which guarded
the camp, the great treasures it contained, the wives of the
nobles, and the mother and sister of the king. When
shining Mithra appeared and the dark spirits of night hid in
their caves, the sacred fire which had been carried in front
of the army from Babylon was fanned to a mighty flame,
and fed by the king and the magi with precious incense.
Then Cambyses sacrificed and held the golden vessel on
high, praying for victory and fame. He gave the Persians
their battle cry: “Auramazda, helper and guide,” and
placed himself at the head of his guards, whose tiaras were
adorned with wreaths. The Greeks also sacrificed and
shouted with joy when the priests announced that the
omens promised victory. Their battle cry was “Hebe.”
Meanwhile the Egyptian priests also began the day with
sacrifice and prayer, and then ranged themselves in
order of battle. Psamtik, the king, was in front of the
centre on a golden chariot with a bow-case of the same
material. His horses were decked with purple cloths and
gold trappings, and had ostrich feathers on their proud
heads. His charioteer belonged to one of the noblest
Egyptian families, and stood, with whip and rein, on the
left of his master, who wore the double crown of Upper
and Lower Egypt.

On the left of the centre the Greek and Carian merce-
naries were to fight. The cavalry stood at the extreme end
of both wings, while the Egyptian and Ethiopian infantry
were drawn up, six deep, on the right and left of the chariot
warriors and Greeks.

Psamtik drove through the ranks, encouraging and
greeting all, and at last stopped in front of the Greeks, and
addressed them as follows : “I am glad, heroes, with whose
deeds in Cyprus and Libya I am acquainted, that this time
I can share your fame, and place new wreaths of victory on
your brows. Do not fear that if we conquer I shall diminish

1 This flag consisted, according to Ferdusi, of the leather apron of
the bold smith of the Persian legend, who summoned men to revolt
against Zohak, and helped Feridun to overthrow the cruel desolater of
the realm.

THE BATTLE.

399

your privileges. Calumniators have warned yon to prepare
for sucli ingratitude on my part, but I assure you, that if we
conquer, I will favour you and your descendants in every
way, and call you the supporters of my throne. Consider,
too, that to-day you are not fighting for me alone, hut also
for the freedom of your distant home. For it is easy to
see that if Cambyses becomes master of Egypt he will not
be content, but will stretch out his covetous hand towards,
beautiful Greece and its islands. I need only remind you
that they lie between Egypt and your Asiatic brethren, who
already sigh in captivity under the Persian yoke. Your
shouts show me that you agree. I must, however, entreat
you to listen to me for a minute longer, for it is my duty
to tell you the name of the man who for huge sums has
sold, not only Egypt, but also his own home, to the great
king of Persia. Phanes is the man. You must not mur-
mur, for I swear that it is this very Phanes who has
accepted Cambyses* gold, and promised him not only to
open the way to Egypt for him, but also the gates of your
native land. This man knew the country and the people,
and can be bought with gold to do anything. Do you see
him yonder, walking by the king and prostrating himself
in the dust at his feet ? Is that a Greek ? It seems to me
that I once heard that Greeks knelt only to their gods.
But of course, he who sells his native land ceases to be its
citizen. You agree with me? You think I am right?
You disdain to call that dishonoured man your country-
man? Well then, I will give you the daughter of that
miserable man, whom I kept as hostage, and whom he
sold with his native land. Do with the rogue* s child
as you list. Deck her with roses, kneel to her, but never
forget that she belongs to him who disgraces the name
of Greek, and betrayed you and his country.**

A cry of fury broke from the men who received the
trembling child. A soldier lifted up the unhappy girl and
showed her to her father, who recognized her distinctly, for
he was only a bow-shot* s length from the mercenaries. At
the same time an Egyptian, who afterwards became famous
through his loud voice, cried to the trembling father : “ Be-
hold, Athenian, how bribed traitors are punished here.’*
Then a Carian seized a howl, the contents of which had

400

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

been the gift of the king, and had intoxicated the man and
his companions in arms, plunged his sword into the child's
breast, caught her innocent blood in the brazen vessel,
filled a cup with the horrible draught, and drank it as
though pledging the father, who stood almost paralyzed.
Like madmen the other mercenaries attacked the bowl,
and quaffed the grape juice polluted with blood.

At that moment Psamtik triumphantly discharged the
first arrow at the Persians. The mercenaries flung down
the child’s body, and intoxicated by the blood they had
tasted, began their battle song, and rushed to the fight far
ahead of their Egyptian companions.

The Persian lines began to advance ; Phanes, mad with
grief and rage, and followed by his heavily-armed men,
who were horrified at the barbarous cruelty of their
countrymen, rushed' towards the men whose affection he
thought he had gained by ten years’ faithful work as theii
leader.

When the sun stood in its zenith, the luck seemed to
have turned in favour of the Egyptians, but when it began
to set, the Persians were gaining, and when the full moon
shone in the heavens, the Egyptians fled wildly from the
field, and either perished in the Pelusian swamps and the
branches of the Nile, which flowed through them, or fell
before the swords of Asiatics, fighting for the freedom of
their home.

Twenty thousand Persians, and fifty thousand Egyptians
covered the bloodstained sand of the coast with their
bodies, while the number of those who were wounded,
drowned, and captured could scarcely be counted. Psamtik
had been the last of the fugitives, and slightly wounded,
reached the opposite shore of the Nile in safety on a
noble steed, and hurried to Memphis, the strongly fortified
town of the Pyramids, with a few thousand of his faithful
troops.

But few of the Greek mercenaries in the Egyptian ser-
vice survived. Phanes, thirsting for revenge, had fought so
terribly among them with his Ionians. Ten thousand
Carians were taken prisoners. Phanes himself killed the
murderer of his child.

Aristomachus, too, had done wonders in spite of his

THE BATTLE.

401

wooden leg. But neither he, nor his companion in revenge,
had succeeded in capturing Psamtik.

When the battle was over, and the Persians returned
to the camp with shouts of joy, they were received by
Croesus, the remaining priests and soldiers, and celebrated
the glorious victory with sacrifices and prayers.

On the following morning the king summoned the
leaders, and distributed rewards among them according to
their merit, such as rich garments, gold chains and rings,
swords, and stars of precious stones ; gold and silver coins
were flung among the soldiers.

The chief assault of the Egyptians had been directed
against the centre of the Persians, at the head of which
the king fought, and the guards already began • to waver,
when Bartja with his horsemen came up at the right
moment, encouraged the men anew, and fighting like a
lion, decided the issue of the day by his courage and
activity. The Persians greeted the youth with joy, and called
him the victor of Pelusium, the best of the Achsemenidse.

The king heard these shouts, and was filled with deep
anger. He was conscious that he had fought at the^
risk of his life, with true heroism, and with the strength
of a giant, and yet the fight would have been lost, if that
boy had not given him the 'victory. His brother, who had
clouded his love, now deprived him of half his martial
fame. He felt that he hated Bartja, and his fists clenched
when ho saw the young hero, radiant with noble con-
sciousness of his powers.

Phanes was in his tent wounded, beside him rested
Aristomachus, who was dying.

“The oracle lied after all/’ murmured the Spartan; “I
am dying, and shall never see my home again.”

“ It spoke the truth,” returned Phanes. “ What were
the last words of the Pythia ?

4 Then the delaying boat shall conduct you unto the meadows,
Where the peace of home is to the wanderer given/

Can you misunderstand the meaning of these words?
They mean the delaying boat of Charon, which will carry
you to your last home, the great resting-place of all
wanderers, the realm of Hades.”

r> d

402

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

“Yes, my friend, yon are right. I am going to
Hades/’

“ The ‘ judging five/ the ephors, granted you before you
died, what they had long denied, your return to Lacsede-
mon. You must thank the gods who gave you such
sons, and vengeance on your foes. When I recover I will
go to G-reece, and tell your son what a glorious death his
father died, how he was carried on his shield from the field
to his grave/’

“ Do so, and give him my shield, to preserve in memory
of his father. I need not bid him be virtuous/’

“ When we capture Psamtik, shall I tell him what you
did to help his fall ? ”

“ No ; he saw me before he fled, and dropped his bow
with horror at the unexpected sight. His friends thought
it was the signal for flight, and turned their horses’
heads.”

“The gods destroy the criminal through his own shame-
ful deeds. Psamtik lost courage when he thought that even
the spirits from the Nether World fought against him.”

“ He had enough to do with mortals. The Persians
"fought well. But without the guards and us, the battle
would have been lost.”

“ Certainly.”

“ Zeus Lacaedemon, I thank thee.”

“ You are praying ? ”

“ I am thanking the gods, for they let me die without fear
for my native land. These heterogeneous masses are not dan-
gerous to our Greek home. Physician, when shall I die? ”

The Milesian physician who had accompanied the men
of Asia Minor, who followed the Persian army, smiled
sadly, and pointing to the arrow-head on the Spartan’s
breast, returned : “ You can only live for a few hours
longer. As soon as I remove the arrow from your wound*
you will die.”

The Spartan thanked the physician, bade Phanes fare-
well, sent his greetings to Bhodopis, and before he could
be prevented, drew the arrow from his breast with a firm
hand. A few minutes later Aristomachus was dead.

The same day a Persian embassy sailed to Memphis on

THE BATTLE.

403

board a Lesbian vessel to invite the king to surrender with
tlie town at discretion. Cambyses followed, after lie bad
sent part of the army to Sais, under Megabyzus, in order
to take tbe town.

At Heliopolis be was met by embassies from tbe Greek
inhabitants of Haucratis and from tbe Libyans, wbo asked
for protection and peace, and offered bim a golden wreath
and costly gifts. He received them graciously, and promised
them bis friendship, but he dismissed tbe embassies from
Cyrene and Barca angrily, and with his own hands dis-
tributed among tbe soldiers tbeir tribute, five hundred
silver mime , 1 which seemed ridiculously small to him.

At the same place he heard that on the arrival of his
embassy, the inhabitants of Memphis had poured out of
the town in crowds ; had torn limb from limb all who
were on board the ship, and dragged them into the citadel.
Cambyses exclaimed in anger when he heard the news :

“ I swear by Mithra that for every one of the men they
have murdered ten inhabitants of Memphis shall die.”

Two days later he halted before the gates of the great
town with his army. The siege lasted for a short time
only, for the garrison was far too weak for the size of the *
place, and the terrible defeat of Pelusium had discouraged
the inhabitants.

King Psamtik went with his chief officers to meet the
king. The unhappy man appeared in rent garments, and
with every sign of mourning. Cambyses received him in
cold silence, and ordered that he and his retinue should be
arrested and led away. Ladice, Amasis > widow, who also
appeared before the king, was treated with respect, and at
the intercession of Phanes, to whom she had always behaved
graciously, she was sent under safe escort to her home,
Cyrene, where she lived till the fall of her nephew, Arcesi-
laus, and the flight of her sister Pheretime. Then she went
to Anthylla, the Egyptian town which belonged to her,
where, after a quiet lonely life, she died at an advanced age.

Cambyses was too proud to avenge himself on a woman
for the deceit practised on him, and as a Persian he had
far too much respect for a mother, especially the mother

1 About, j£25QP.

404

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

of a king, to injure Amasis’ widow. Psamtik remained in
the palace, and was treated as a king, though he was closely
guarded, while Cambyses besieged and took the capital, Sais.

Keithotep, the priest of Keith, had acted as leader to the
distinguished Egyptians, who incited the people to resist,
and he was sent to Memphis with a hundred of his com-
panions in misfortune, where he was kept a close prisoner.
Most of the officers of the Pharaoh voluntarily did homage
to Cambyses at Sais. They called him “Ramestu,” that is,
Child of the Sun ; induced him to be formally crowned as
king of Upper and Lower Egypt, and, in accordance with an
ancient custom to be admitted into the caste of priests.
Cambyses submitted, on the advice of Phanes and Croesus,
though somewhat unwillingly. He even sacrificed in the
temple of Keith, and allowed the new chief priest of the
goddess to give him a general idea of the mysteries. He
summoned a few of the old courtiers to his presence, and pro-
moted many of the officials to high posts. The admiral of
Amasis’ Kile fleet even managed to gain his favour, and
was admitted as companion of his table. When Cambyses
left the town at last, he appointed Megabyzus governor.

^ The king had no sooner left Sais than the common people
gave vent to their suppressed rage, assassinated the Persian
sentries, poisoned the wells, and set fire to the stables of
the cavalry. Megabyzus went to the king after these
events, and represented to him that so much hostility'
might easily turn to open rebellion unless it were kept
down by fear. “Let the two thousand noble youths of
Memphis, whom you doomed to death in return for the
murder of our embassy, be executed at once,” he said.

“ It would do no harm if you included the son of Psamtik
in the number of the condemned, for the insurgents will
gather round him. I hear that the daughters of the former
king, and of the chief priest Keithotep, are obliged to carry
water for the bath of noble Phanes.”

The Athenian smiled at these words and said : “ Cam-
byses, my master, allowed me, at my request, to be served
in this noble fashion.”

“But,” added Cambyses, “I have forbidden you to
threaten the life of any member of the fallen royal house.
Only a king may punish kings.”

THE BATTLE.

LOS

Phanes bowed. Cambyses turned again to Megaoysji&li
and bade him have the condemned men executed next dayT"
as a warning to all. He would decide later on as to the
fate of the young prince, but at all events he was to be led
to the place of execution with the others. “We must
show,” he said, “ that we can meet hostility with severity.”

When Croesus ventured to beg for mercy for the innocent
boy, Cambyses smiled and said : “ Be tranquil, old friend.
The child is still living, and perhaps he will not be worse
off among us than your son who fought so well at Pelusium.
But I should like to know whether Psamtik bears his
fate with the manly composure you showed twenty-five
years ago.”

“We could find out,” said Phanes. “Let the king
enter the court, and let the prisoners and the condemned
be led past him, then we shall see whether he is a man or
a coward.”

“ Be it so,” cried Cambyses. “ I will conceal myself and
watch him unseen. Accompany me, Phanes, and tell me
the names and the rank of the different prisoners.”

On the following morning the Athenian went with the
king to the balcony surrounding the great courtyard,'*
which was planted with trees. Thick flowering shrubs
hid the listeners, who could distinguish evex'y move-
ment of the people below them, and hear all they said.
Psamtik stood leaning against a palm tree among some of
his former companions, and looked down gloomily, while
his daughter with ISTeithotep’s child and other maidens in
the dress of slaves, entered the court, bearing cans of water.
As soon as the maidens saw the king they uttered a loud
lament, which roused Psamtik from his reverie. When
he recognized the mourning maidens he bent his eyes to
the ground again, but soon raised his head, and asked his
daughter for whom she carried water. When he heard
that she was Phanes* slave he turned pale, nodded, and
cried to the maidens : “ Go ! ”

A few minutes later the prisoners entered the court with
halters round their necks, and bridles in their mouths, led
by Persian guards. Little Necho headed the procession,
he stretched out his hands towards his father, and begged
him to punish the wicked strangers who wished to kill

406

Atf EGYPTIAN FBISTCESS.

him. The Egyptians shed tears of sorrow at his words.
Psamtik looked down again, with tearless eyes, and signed
a last farewell to his weeping child.

Soon after, the prisoners from Sais entered. Among them
was aged Heithotep. The former chief priest was in rags,
and crept along painfully, supported by a staff. At the
gate of the court he raised his eyes and recognized Darius,
his former pupil. Careless of those around him, he went
at once to the youth, told him his misery, asked him for
assistance, and at last begged for alms.

Darius gave him alms, which induced the other Achse-
menidse who stood by to call to the old man, jestingly, and
to throw him small coins, which he gratefully picked up,
though with difficulty.

When Psamtik saw this he wept aloud, called his friend’s
name mournfully, and beat his brow.

Cambyses was surprised. He parted the bushes, went
to the railing of the balcony, and called to the unhappy
captive : “ Tell me, strange man, why you did not lament
and monrn at the sight of yonr unhappy daughter, and of
your son who was led to death, and yet show so much sym-
* pathy for a "beggar, who is not even related to you ? ”

Psamtik looked up at his conqueror, and answered:
“ The misfortune of my house, son of Cyrus, was too great
for tears ; but I may weep for the affliction of a friend
who in his old age is transformed from a respected and
happy man to a miserable beggar.”

Cambyses nodded approvingly to the unhappy man ; and
when he looked round, he saw that he was not the only one
whose eyes were filled with tears. Crcesus, Bartja, and all
the Persians present, even Phanes, who had acted as inter-
preter to the two kings, wept aloud.

The proud victor was pleased to see these tears, and said,
turning to the Athenian: “I think, my Greek friend, we
have been avenged for the wrong done ns. Eise, Psamtik,
and seek to accustom yourself to your new fate, like this
noble old man;” he pointed to Croesus. “ You and your
house have been punished for yonr father’s deceit. The
crown that Amasis took from the daughter of Hophra, my
wife, whom I shall never forget, I have tom from your brow.
I began the war for Hitetis’ sake. I give life to yonr son,

THE BATTLE.

40 ?

because she loved him. You shall henceforth live free
from insults at my court, as companion of my table, and
shall share the privileges of my nobles. Fetch the boy,
Gyges. He shall be brought up as you were years ago,
with the sons of the Achsemenidae.”

The Lydian hastened towards the door of the balcony
to carry out his pleasant commission ; but Phanes called
him back before he could reach it, placed himself proudly
between the king and Psamtik, who trembled with joy, and
said : “Neclio, son of Psamtik, is no more. In defiance of
your command, my ruler, I used the authority which you
once bestowed on me, and bade the executioner kill Amasis’
grandson first of the prisoners. That horn which you heard
was the signal of the death of the last heir to the crown of
Egypt, bom on the Nile. I know my fate, and do not ask
for a life which has attained its goal. I understand your
reproachful glances, Croesus. You grieve for the murdered
child ; but life is such a mixture of misery and disappoint-
ment, that I agree with Solon, and call him happy to
whom the gods grant an early death, as they did to Clesbis
and Biton. Cambyses, as a last favour, if ever you cared
for me, if ever my advice helped you, allow me to speaJb
yet a few words. Psamtik, you know what caused our
quarrel. You others, whose esteem I value, shall hear it now.
I was appointed leader of the troops sent against Cyprus in
this man’s place by his father. I attained great success
whore he had reaped humiliation. Without wishing it, I
became acquainted with a secret which endangered his
claim to the throne. Finally, I prevented him from carry-
ing off a virtuous maiden from the house of her grand-
mother, a matron- dear to all the Greeks. This is what he
could not pardon ; this induced him, when I was forced to
leave his father’s service, to challenge me to mortal combat.
Now the fight is ended. You have murdered my innocent
children, and pursued me as though I had been a dangei'ous
animal. That was your revenge. I have robbed you of
your throne, and made you and your people slaves. I have
called your daughter my slave. I have caused the death
of your son ; and I have seen the maiden you persecuted
become the happy wife of a hei'o. You, a conquered and
fallen man, have seen me become the richest and wealthiest

m

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

of my people. Unhappy man, you have seen me weep with
uncontrollable emotion at your dreadful fate, and that was
my fairest revenge. I call him happy, as the blessed gods,
who like me has survived for one minute the greatest misery
of his enemy. Now I have nothing more to say.”

Phanes was silent, and pressed his hand on his wound.
Cambyses looked at him with surprise, advanced a step,
and was about to touch the belt of the Athenian — a move-
ment which would have been equivalent to the signing of
a death-warrant — when his eye fell on the chain which he
had given him as a reward for the skill with which he had
proved Nitetis’ innocence. The memory of the woman he
loved, and the gratitude he owed this remarkable man for
innumerable services, softened his anger, and he dropped
his hand which was raised to give the fatal signal.
For a minute the stern ruler stood hesitating facing his
disobedient friend ; then he raised his hand with a sudden
impulse, and pointed with an imperious gesture to the gate
of the court.

Phanes bowed in silence, kissed the king’s garment, and
went calmly down into the court. Psamtik looked after
,him, trembling, sprang to the railing of the balcony, but
before he could open his lips to curse, he fell down un-
conscious.

Cambyses signed to his escort, and bade the chief hunter
prepare for a lion hunt in the Libyan mountains.

CHAPTER XXIX.

AJT EXPEDITION ON THE NILE.

T HE Nile had again begun to rise. Two months had
passed since Phanes’ flight, in which much had hap-
pened. Sappho had given birth to a daughter on the
same day that Phanes left Egypt, and had recovered
sufficiently, under her grandmother’s care, to be able to
take part in an expedition on the Nile, at the feast of
Neith, which Croesus had proposed. The young couple did
not live at Memphis, for Bartja, in order to avoid Cam-
byses, who had become unbearable since Phanes’ flight,
had gone with the king’s permission to the palace of Sais.

Rhodopis, in whose house the Lydian and his son, Bartja,
Darius, and Zopyrus were frequent guests, joined the party.

On the morning of the festival of Neith they entered a
splendidly-decked boat eight miles below Memphis, and,
driven by a favourable north wind, and impelled onwards
by many oarsmen, they sailed up stream. The guests
were protected from the hot rays of the sun by a wooden
roof on the middle of the deck, which was partly gilt,
partly painted.

Croesus sat by Rhodopis ; at her feet rested Theopompus,
the Milesian. Sappho leaned against Bartja. Syloson, the
brother of Polycrates, lay beside Darius, who gazed on the
river, lost in thought, while Gyges and Zopyrus wound the
flowers, which an Egyptian slave handed them, into
wreaths for the two women.

“ Who would think,” said Bartja, “ that we are going
against the stream ? The boat flies over the water like a
swallow.”

“ That is owing to the strong north wind which cools
our brows,’* said Theopompus. The Egyptian oarsmen
certainly understand their work very well,”

410

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

“ And work twice as hard when they row against the
current, 1 ” added Croesus. We only exert our full strength
when we meet resistance.”

“ And we raise difficulties for ourselves,” said Rhodopis,
“ when fate has placed our boat in calm waters.”

“That is so,” cried Darius. “A noble man hates to
swim comfortably with the stream. Men are all alike in
idle repose. We need the fight to show that we are better
than others.”

“ But noble warriors must beware of beginning quar-
rels,” added Rhodopis. “ Do you see the dark green
water-melons which lie scattered about on the black land ?
If the sower had scattered the seeds too liberally, none of
them would have ripened. Luxuriant vines and foliage
would have choked the fruit and spoilt the harvest. War
and work are man’s destiny, but here, too, he must know
how to use moderation, as in other things, if his efforts are
to be crowned with success. Never to pass the right
limits is the true art of the wise.”

“ I wish the king could hear you,” cried Croesus. “ In-
stead of being content with his great conquest, his wishes
rove afar. He would like to conquer the whole world, and
since Phanes’ exile, he lets the divs of intoxication throw
him to the earth almost every day.”

“ Has his great mother no influence over him ? ” asked
Rhodopis.

“ She could not even keep him from his resolution of
marrying Atossa, and was obliged to be present at the
wedding banquet.”

“ Poor Atossa ! ” murmured Sappho.

“ Her life as queen of Persia is not a happy one,”
continued Croesus. u She must find it all the harder to live
in peace with her brother and husband, because she her-
self is so passionate. Pn fortunately, Cambyses is said to
neglect her very much, and to treat her like a child. But
this marriage seems nothing unusual to the Egyptians, for
with them it is not uncommon for brother and sister to
become man and wife . 1

1 Several monuments prove that it wa3 no uncommon event for bro-
thers to marry their sisters. The history of the Ptolemies furnishes
many instances of such marriages.

AN EXPEDITION ON THE NILE.

411

“ And in Persia/’ added Darius, feigning perfect com-
posure, “ marriages between blood relations are looked on
as the best.”

“ To return to the king,” said Croesus, skilfully chang-
ing the conversation out of consideration for the son of
Hystaspes ; “ I assure you that he may be called a noble
man. The faults he commits in passionate fury are fol-
lowed by repentance, and he has never forgotten his reso-
lution to be a good and just ruler. The other day, for
instance, at the banquet, before wine had dulled his
senses, he asked what the Persians thought of him as com-
pared with his father ? ”

“ What was the answer ? ” asked Ehodopis.
u Intaphemes skilfully extricated us from the trap,”
laughed Zopyrus, “ for he cried to the king : 4 We think
you deserve the preference, because you not only possess
the lands of Cyrus without diminution, but by your con-
quest of Egypt you have extended our territory beyond
the sea ! ’ The king was not pleased with the answer, he
struck the table with his fist and cried : * Flatterers !
vile flatterers ! ’ Intaphemes was alarmed at this un-
expected outburst, but the king turned to Croesus and ,
asked for his opinion. ‘ It seems to me,’ said our clever
friend, * that you have not yet reached your father’s
height, for,’ he added in a soothing tone, 4 you have not
yet such a son as the late king left behind in you.’ ”

“ Good, good ! ” cried Ehodopis, smiling at her friend
and clapping her hands. “ These words would have done
credit to cunning Odysseus. But how did the king receive
this pill of truth, wrapped in sweet; honey ? ”

“ With great satisfaction. He thanked Crcesus, and
called him his friend.”

a But,” continued the old man, “I seized the opportunity
to dissuade him from his plan of fighting against the long-
lived Ethiopians, the Ammonians, and the Carthaginians.
Only fabulous stories are known of the first named, and if
we fight them we shall make great sacrifices for little gain.
The oasis of Ammon is difficult of access for a largo army,
because of the desert, which separates it from Egypt, and
it seems to me criminal to fight against a god and his
treasures, even though you do not worship him. As to

412

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

the Carthaginians, the event has already confirmed my
prophecy. The sailors of our fleet are almost without
exception Syrians and Phoenicians, and of course refused
to attack their brethren. Cambyses laughed at my argu-
ments, called me a coward, and, under the influence of
wine, swore that he was capable of carrying out difficult
undertakings, and subduing great nations, without Phanes
and Bartja.”

“ What was the meaning of the allusion to you, my
son? ” asked Rhodopis.

“He won the battle of Pelusium, he, and no other,”
cried Zopyrus, interrupting his friend.

“ But,” said Croesus, “ you and your friends should have
been more careful, and have considered that it is dangerous
to rouse the jealousy of a man like Cambyses. You always
forget that his heart is sore, and that the smallest vexation
causes him pain. Pate robbed him of the wife he loved
and the friend who was dear to him ; now you are doing
your best to diminish the last thing which he has left to
care for, his martial fame.”

“ Do not blame him,” cried Bartja, seizing the old man’s
hand. “ My brother was never unjust, and is far removed
from being jealous of my luck, for I can scarcely call my
well-timed attack a merit. You know that he sent me
this splendid sword, one hundred noble horses, and a gold
handmill 1 as a reward for my courage.”

A slight feeling of anxiety awoke in Sappho’s breast at
Croesus’ speech, but it vanished at her husband’s confident
words, and was quite forgotten when Zopyrus finished hia
wreath, and placed it on Ehodopis’ brow.

Gyges offered his to the young mother, who pressed the
snow-white water lilies on her brown curls, and looked so
lovely in her simple adornment, that Bartja could not
refrain from pressing a kiss on her brow, in spite of the
lookers-on. This incident gave a cheerful turn to the con-
versation ; each tried to do his best to increase the mirth ;
even Darius forgot his usual gravity, and began to jest
and laugh with his friends, who were now supplied with
various refreshments and wines. «

1 According to Herod, iii. 160 a golden handmill was the greatest mark
of distinction which a Persian subject could receive from his sovereign.

AW EXPEDITION ON THE WILE.

413

When the sun vanished behind the Mokkatam moun-
tains, the slaves placed beautifully carved chairs, footstools,
and little tables, on the open deck. Thither the merry
company now went, and a wonderfully beautiful sight,
which surpassed all expectations, met their astonished gaze.

The festival of Neith, called by the Egyptians the light-
ing of lamps, and celebrated by a great illumination of all
the houses in the country, had begun. The shores of the
great stream resembled long, endless tracks of fire. Every
temple, every house, every hut, was decked with lamps
according to the wealth of the owner. At the gates of the
country houses, and on the small turrets of the larger
buildings, bright fires blazed in pitchpans, and sent forth
thick clouds of smoke, which was blown about with the
flags and streamers. The palms and sycamores gleamed
silver in the moonlight, and were strangely mirrored in the
waves which washed the shore, and shone red in the
reflection of the flames. But the light was not sufficient
to brighten the middle of the stream, where the bark of
the pleasure- seekers lay. It seemed to them as if they
went on in dark night between two bright days. Now and
then boats, lighted with lamps, were visible, flying over
the waters like fiery swans, and when they approached
the shore it seemed as though they cut through molten
iron.

Snow-white lotus flowers were rocking on the waves,
and appeared to them like the eyes of the water. No
sound from the shore reached their ears. The sounds
carried by the north wind were too faint to reach the
middle of the stream. The stroke of the oars and the
monotonous chant of the sailors alone broke the deep
silence of the night, which was robbed of its darkness.
For a long while the friends gazed, without speaking, at
the strange scene which seemed to glide past them. At
last Zopyrus broke the silence, sighing deeply, and cried:
H How I envy you, Bart j a ! If all were as it should be
each of us would have his favourite wife with him now.”

“Who forbade you to take one of your wives ? ” asked
the happy husbanfl.

“ My five other partners,” sighed the youth. u If I had
allowed Parysatis, Orcetes’ daughter, my last favourite, to

414 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

come with me alone, this lovely sight would have been my
last, for there would be a pair of eyes less in the world to-
morrow.”

Bartja took Sappho’s right hand in his, and said: “I
think I shall be satisfied with one wife all my life.”

The young mother returned the pressure of the beloved
hand, and said, turning to Zopyrus : “ I do not trust you,
friend, for it seems to me you dread the anger of your wives
less than you fear to break the customs of your home. I
have already been told that my poor Bartja is blamed be-
cause he does not have me guarded by eunuchs, and allows
me to share his pleasures.”

“He spoils you dreadfully,” returned Zopyrus, “and
our women already begin to refer to his goodness and in-
dulgence, if we are a little strict with them. In a few days
there will be a rebellion of women at the king’s door, and
the Achsemenidae, who escaped sharp swords and arrows,
wall be pierced by keen tongues and drowned in salt tears.”

“ 0, you rude Persian,” said Syloson, laughing. “We
must teach you greater respect for the images of Aphrodite.”

“You G-reeks, indeed,” answered the youth. “By
Mitkra, our women are as well off as yours. The Egyptian
women alone enjoy unusual liberty.”

“It is so,” answered Rhodopis. “The inhabitants of
this strange land have for centuries granted my weak sex
the same privileges that they demand for themselves. In
many respects they have even given us the advantage. For
example, the Egyptian law commands not the sons, but the
daughters, to cherish and provide for their aged parents.
This shows how well the wise ancestors of this now sub-
jugated people were able to judge woman’s nature, how
clearly they saw that we women are far superior to you
men, where vigilance, care, attention, and devoted love are
required. Bo not scorn these worshippers of animals, whom
I do not understand, and yet greatly admire, because
Pythagoras, the master of all knowledge, assures me that
the wisdom hidden in the teaching of the priests was as
vast as the pyramids.”

“ And your great master was right,” cited Darius. “ You
know that for several weeks I have had daily intercourse with
Heithotep, the chief priest of Neith, whom I freed from his

AN EXPEDITION ON THE NILE.

415

captivity, and with old Onuphis, from both of whom I re-
ceive instruction. I have learned much that is new, and that
I never dreamed of, from these two old men. I forget much
that is sad when I listen to their teachings. They know
the whole history of heaven and earth, they know the name
of every king, the history of every important event during
four thousand years. They know the course of the stars
and the works of all artists and wise men of their nation for
the same period ; for all this is written in the great books
which are preserved at Thebes in a palace which they call
the hospital for the soul . 1 Their laws are a pure source of
wisdom, the constitution of their state is adapted with great
intelligence to the requirements of the land. I wish we could
boast of the same order and regularity in our home. Their
wisdom is founded on the use of numbers, with the help of
which alone it is possible to calculate the path of the stars,
to determine exactly what exists, and by lengthening or
shortening the strings to regulate sounds. Number is the
sole thing of which we are certain, which defies caprice and
interpretation. Every race has its own ideas of right and
wrong, every law can be rendered useless by circumstances,
but the experience which is based on numbers cannot be
overthrown. Who can dispute that twice two is four?
Numbers determine with accuracy the contents of all that
is ; everything that is, is equal to its contents, therefore
numbers are true existence, they are the essence of all things.”

“ In Mithra’s name, stop, Darius, if you do not want to
make me giddy,” cried Zopyrus, interrupting his friend.
“ Whoever hears you would think you had lived all your
life with these Egyptian dreamers, and never held a sword
in your hand. What are numbers to us ? ”

“ More than you think,” said Ehodopis. “ Pythagoras
also owes his knowledge of those precepts which rank
among the secrets of the Egyptian priests to that very
Onuphis, who now initiates you into these mysteries,
Darius. Come to see me soon, and let me tell you how

1 The library at Thebes which, according to Diodorus, bore the in-
scription \pvxfi C larp&ov, “ Hospital for the soul,” is said to have con-
tained 20,000 hermetic or hieratic books (Jamblichus, “De Myst.
j*Cgypt.” viii. 1). It was kept in the Ramesseum, in the ruins of which
Charapollion distovered the rooms dedicated to its use.

416

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

beautifully the great Samian has brought these laws of
number into unison with those of harmony. But see, there
are the Pyramids.”

All rose from their seats, and looked in silence at
the wonderful sight before them. The gigantic, ancient
tombs of mighty monarchs lay on the left bank of the
river in the silver moonlight. Massive and awe-in-
spiring, they crushed the earth with their weight, and
showed the creative power of the human will — a sign of the
vanity of human greatness. Whore was that Chufu, who
cemented a mountain of stones with the sweat of his sub-
jects ? Where was aged Chafra, who despised the gods,
and, relying on his own proud strength, is said to have
closed the gates of the temples, in order to make him-
self and his name immortal, by a superhuman monu-
ment? Their empty sarcophagi, perhaps, show that the
judges of the dead thought them unworthy of rest in the
grave, unworthy of resurrection ; while the architect of the
third and most beautiful pyramid, Menkera, who was con-
tent with a smaller monument, and again opened the temple
gates, was allowed to repose undisturbed in his coffin of
blue basalt . 1

There lay the Pyramids in the silent night, illumined by
the stars, guarded by the sentinel of the desert, the gigantic
sphinx, overtopping the desolate rocks of the Libyan hills.
At their feet in beautiful tombs lay the mummies of the
faithful among those who raised them ; and opposite the
great monument of pious Menkera rose a temple, in which
the priest of Osiris recited the prayers for the souls of the
many dead who lay buried in the necropolis of Memphis.
In the west, where the sun sets behind the Libyan hills,
where the fertile land ceased and the desert began, the
Memphians had built their tombs. The travellers looked
towards the west, and remained in perfect silence, overcome
with pious awe and reverent surprise.

When the north wind carried the swift boat past the

1 Herodotus says the builders of the great pyramids were atheists,
but the graves of their adherents at the base of^these structures prove
that their ill-fame was due to the hatred of the people, who could not
forget the time of hard, forced labour, and branded the memory of
their persecutors whenever it was possible.

AN EXPEDITION ON THE NILE.

417

place of death and the enormous dykes which guarded
the city of Menes from the floods, and they approached
the town of the Pharaohs, when at last millions of lights,
which "blazed everywhere in honour of Neith, became
visible, the spell was broken, and loud exclamations of
admiration were heard as they approached the temple
of Ptah, the oldest building in the most ancient of
countries.

Thousands of lamps lit up the house of the god ; hun-
dreds of fires burnt on the pylons, the ramparts, and the
roof of the sanctuary. Between the lines of sphinxes
which connected the various gates with the chief building
burfit flaming torches ; and the empty house of the sacred
bull, Apis, gleamed in the flames like a chalk cliff: in a tropical
sunset. Flags and streamers waved over the glittering
scene, flowers were arranged everywhere, and strains of
music filled the air.

“Beautiful, beautiful,” cried Bhodopis, delighted at
the wonderful scene. “ See how the coloured pillars
and walls gleam, and how strangely the obelisks and
sphinxes are shadowed on the smooth, yellow pavement 1 ”

“And how mysterious,” added Croesus, “the sacred
grave of the god appears yonder in the gloom ! I never
saw such a scene before.”

“ But I,” said Darius, “ have seen even more wonderful
things. You will believe me when I tell you that I have
witnessed one of the celebrations of the mysteries of Keith.”

“ Describe it to us,” cried his friends.

“ Keithotep at first refused to admit me ; but when I
promised to remain concealed, and also to obtain the freedom
of his child, he led me to his observatory, from which there
is an extensive view, and told me that I was about to see a
representation of the adventures of Osiris and his wife
Isis.

“He had scarcely withdrawn when strange coloured
lights made the grove so bright that I could see into its
inmost recesses.

“ Before me lay a perfectly clear lake, 1 surrounded by
beautiful trees a»d gay flower-beds. On its surface were

1 Tne still existing lake Sa-el-bagar,

E E

418

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

golden boats, which contained lovely girls and boys In
white robes, who chanted sweet songs. No one guided the
boats, but they glided gracefully through the smooth water,
as though steered by magic. In the midst of these
boats was a large splendid ship, glittering with jewels.
A beautiful boy seemed to steer it ; but, strange to say,
the helm which he directed was only a white lotus flower,
the delicate petals of which scarcely touched the waters.

“ In the middle of the boat, a beautiful woman, clad in
regal splendour, reclined on silk cushions. By her side sat
a supernaturally tall man, who wore a large crown, wound
round with ivy on his waving curls, and a panther skin
on his shoulders; he had a crook in his hand. In the
stern of the ship, under a roof of roses, ivy, and lotus
flowers , 1 stood a snow-white cow with golden horns, a
purple covering on her back. The man was Osiris; the
woman, Isis ; the boy at the helm, Horns, the son of the
divine pair ; the cow was the sacred animal of the goddess.
All the small boats went past the big vessel, and songs of joy
arose as soon as they approached the deities, who showered
flowers and fruit on the fair singers. Suddenly thunder
was heard ; its rumbling sounded louder and louder, until
it became a terrific roar, when a man, horrible to behold,
clad in the skin of a boar, and with wild, red hair sur-
rounding a horrible face, came out of the dark grove, and,
leaping into the lake, approached the ship, accompanied by
seventy men of similar appearance . 2 *

“ Swift as the wind, the small boats fled, the lotus
flower fell from the hand of the trembling boy at the helm.
Quick as thought, the horrible monster rushed at Osiris,
slew him, with the help of his companions, and threw the
body into a mummy case, which was flung into the lake ; the
floating coffin vanished as though by magic. Meanwhile
Isis, her hair flying loose, fled with lamentations to the shore
in one of the small boats, and ran along the shores of the
lake, accompanied by the maidens, who had also left the
boats. With strange dances and songs of mourning, which

1 The ivy was Osiris 9 plant, the cow was dedicated to Isis.

a This account is based on the account given by Plutarch in Isis and

Osiris, 13-19, and Biodor., i. 21 and 22.

AJT EXPEDITION ON THE NILE.

419

the maidens accompanied by curious movements of black
Byssus cloths, they sought the body of the dead. The
youths were not idle ; but amid tumult and dancing they
prepared a costly coffin for the vanished body of the god.
When it was ready they joined the women of lamenting
Isis, and wandered with them, singing mournful dirges, and
searching along the shores of the water.

44 Suddenly a soft voice was heard from an invisible
source, which announced, in a song that increased in volume
as it proceeded, that the body of the god had been carried
by the current of the Mediterranean to G-ebal , 1 in distant
Phoenicia.

“ The song, which the son of Neithotep, who was by my
side, called the 4 Wind of Rumour,’ moved me deeply.

44 Isis had scarcely heard the joyous news, when she threw
off her mourning robes, and accompanied by the voices of
her charming retinue, began a bright song of joy. Rumour
had not lied, for the goddess found the sarcophagus and
her husband’s body on the north side of the lake. As soon
as both had been brought to land amid dances, Isis threw
herself on the beloved body, calling on Osiris’ name, and
covered the mummy of the dead god with kisses, while the*
youths prepared a beautiful tomb of lotus flowers and ivy.
After the sarcophagus had been buried, Isis left the place
of mourning to seek her son. She found him on the east
side of the lake, where for some time I had observed a
beautiful youth, who, with several companions of his own
age, was exercising himself in wielding his weapons. He
represented Horus, now grown up.

44 While the mother was rejoicing over her beautiful child,
thunder was again heard, and once more announced
Typhon’s approach. The monster rushed at the flowery
grave of his victim, tore him from his sarcophagus, and
cut the mummy into fourteen pieces, which, amid peals
of thunder and trumpet blasts, he strewed along the edge
of the water.

44 When Isis again approached the tomb, she found
nothing but faded flowers and an empty sarcophagus, but
on the shores #f the lake, in fourteen different places,

1 Better known by ita Greek name, B^blos.

420

AN EGYPTIAN PBINCES3.

fourteen fires flamed in strange colours. The bereaved
goddess hastened towards the lights, while the youths joined
Horus, and led by him, fought with Typhon on the other
side of the lake.

“ I did not know what to look at or listen to first. Here
a terrible fight raged amidst roaring thunder, and the
loud blasts of trumpets, and I could not bear to turn my
eyes away. Yonder, beautiful female voices accompanied
fairy-like dances with entrancing songs, for near each of
the flames that had suddenly appeared, Isis had found a
part of her husband’s body, and now celebrated a festival
of joy.

“ I wish you could have seen the dances, Zopyrus. I
cannot find words to describe the graceful movements of
the girls, I cannot tell you how beautiful it was when
they crowded together in tumult and confusion, and sud-
denly stood ranged in faultlessly regular lines opposite
each other, quickly changing new confusion for new
order. Blue rays of light darted from the whirling lines,
for every dancer had a mirror between her shoulders; its
oscillation produced lightning, in its repose it reflected the
rimage of the maidens.

“ Isis had scarcely found the last limb but one of Osiris
when triumphant blasts and songs were heard from the
opposite shore of the lake.

“ Horus had defeated Typhon, and now forced his way
through the open gate of the Nether World, which was on
the west of the lake, guarded by a fierce female hippo-
potamus, in order to free his father.

“ Beautiful music from harp and flute sounded nearer
and nearer. Clouds of incense arose, a rosy light spread
over the grove, and became brighter and brighter, and
Osiris came out of the open gate of the Nether World led
by his son. Isis hastened into the arms of her liberated
husband, who had risen from the dead, gave beautiful
Horus a lotus flower instead of a sword, and scattered
flowers and fruit, while Osiris seated himself under a
canopy wreathed with ivy, and received the homage of all
the spirits of earth and of Amenti.” 1 9

1 The Nether World. Egyptian Amenti, really the west, the king-
dom of death, whither the soul returns after the death of the body, as

AN EXPEDITION ON THE NILE.

421

Darius ceased, and Bbodopis said : “We thank you for
your charming account, but would be still more obliged if
you would explain the meaning of this Btrange drama,
which undoubtedly possesses a higher signification.”

“ You are quite right,” answered Darius, “ but I must
not tell you what I know, for I promised Neithotep not to
reveal it.”

“ Shall I tell you,” asked Bhodopis, “ what meaning I
attach to the story ? According to various hints of Pythagoras
and Onuphis, Isis seems to me the earth, Osiris, moisture,
or the Bile, which makes everything fertile ; Horus, young
spring ; Typhon, the drought which scorches up everything.
The latter destroys Osiris, or moisture. The gracious earth,
deprived of the power of generating, seeks her beloved
husband with laments, and finds him in the cool north,
where the Bile empties itself. Horus, the young productive
power of nature, has grown up, and conquers Typhon, or
drought. Osiris, like the generative power of the earth, is
only apparently dead ; he returns from the Bether World,
and with his wife, generous earth, rules the fertile valley
of the Bile once more.”

“And because the dead god behaved well in the Bethei*
World,” said Zopyrus, laughing, “ he received at the end
of the wonderful story the homage of all the inhabitants
of Hamestegan, Duzakh, and Gorothman , 1 or whatever I
am to call the dwelling of Egyptian souls.”

“ It is called Amenti,” said Darius, following Zopyrus’
joyous lead. “But the story of the divine couple symbolises
not only the life of nature, but also that of the human
soul, which, when the body dies, like murdered Osiris
never ceases to live.”

“ Thank you,” he returned, “ I will remember it in case
I die in Egypt. But next time I must look on at the
drama at any cost.”

“ I share your curiosity,” said Bhodopis ; “ age makes
us curious.”

** You will always be young,” interrupted Darius. “ Your

the sun after its siting* An inscription dating from the time of the
Ptolemies actually calls Amenti, Hades.

1 Hamestcg&n, the residence of those whose good and evil deeds are
equal. Duzakh, the hell, Gorothman, the paradise of the Persians.

422

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

words have remained beautiful as your face, and your
mind clear as your eyes.”

“ Pardon me,” cried Khodopis, as though she had not
heard these flattering words, “ if I interrupt you. The men-
tion of eyes reminds me of the oculist, Nebenchari, and my
memory has become so weak that I must ask you about
him before I forget. I do not hear the oculist spoken of
now to whom noble Cassandane owes so much.”

“ Poor man,” cried Darius. “ During the journey to
Pelusium he already avoided all society, and even dis-
dained to speak with his countryman, Onuphis. Only his
thin old servant was allowed to serve him and associate
with him. After the battle his whole appearance changed.
He came to the king with radiant face, and asked to be
allowed to accompany him to Sais, and choose two of the
citizens as slaves. Cambyses thought he ought not to
refuse any request expressed by the benefactor of his
mother, and gave him full authority. As soon as he had
reached Amasis’ capital, he hastened to the temple of
bTeith, and ordered the arrest of the chief priest, who had
placed himself at the head of those who were hostile to the
'■Persians, and of an oculist whom he hated. He told them
that as a punishment for burning certain papers, they
would, for the rest of their lives, be obliged to render the
lowest services to a Persian in a foreign land, to whom he
would sell them. I was a witness of the scene, and can
assure you that I trembled before the Egyptian when he
made this announcement to his foes. Neithotep listened
to him in silence and said, when Nebenchari ended : 4 If
you betrayed your country for the sake of your burnt
writings, foolish son, you acted both unjustly and un-
wisely. I preserved your valuable works carefully, placed
them in our temple, and sent a complete copy to the
library at Thebes. We burned nothing but the letters of
Amasis to your father, and a worthless old box. Psamtik
and Petammon looked on at the fire, and resolved, in
gratitude for your writings, and in return for the manu-
scripts which we were unfortunately obliged to destroy in
order to preserve Egypt, to raise to you a fiew tomb in the
necropolis. On its walls you can see, beautifully painted,
the pictures of the deities to whom you devoted yourself,

AN EXPEDITION ON THE NILE. 423

the most sacred chapters of the book of the dead, and
many pictures referring to yon.’ ”

The physician turned pale, and let them show him first
his books and then his beautiful sepulchre. Hereupon
he freed his slaves, who were, however, brought to Memphis
as prisoners, and went home, staggering like an intoxi-
cated man, constantly putting his hand to his brow.
There he made a will, in which he appointed the grand-
child of his old servant Hib the heir of all his possessions.
He pretended to be unwell, and lay down on his couch.
Next morning he was found dead. He had poisoned him-
self with the terrible strychnos juice.

“ Unhappy man,” cried Croesus. “ Misled by the gods,
a traitor to his country, he reaped despair in place of
vengeance.”

“ I am sorry for him,” murmured Rhodopis. “ But see,
the rowers are already drawing in their oars. We have
reached our destination. Yonder your litters and chariots
await you. This has been a pleasant expedition. Bare-
well, let us see you soon at Naucratis. I shall at once
return with Syloson and Theopompus. Give hundreds of
kisses to little Barmy s in my name, and tell Melitta never*
to take the child out at noon. It is dangerous for the
eyes. Good night, Croesus, good night, my dear son.”

The Persians left the ship, waving their hands in
farewell. Bartja turned round again, slipped and fell on
the landing stage.

Zopyrus hurried up, and cried to his friend, who had
sprung up without his help: “ Take care, Bartja; it fore-
bodes misfortune if you fall when landing. It happened
to me when we landed at Naucratis.”

CHAPTER XXX.

THE SHOOTING MATCH.

D URING- the expedition on the Nile, which we have just
described, the ambassador, Prexaspes, had returned
from the long-lived Ethiopians, to whom Cambyses had
sent him. He praised the stature and strength of the
men, described the road to them as impracticable for a
large army, and had wonderful stories to relate. The
Ethiopians were accustomed to make the handsomest and
strongest man of their race king, and they obeyed him
unconditionally. Many of them lived to the age of one hun-
dred and twenty years, and some still longer. Their food
was boiled meat, their drink new milk. They washed in
% spring whose water smelt of violets, gave a peculiar
sleekness to the skin, and was so light that wood sank in
it. Their prisoners had golden fetters, as other metals were
very rare and dear. They covered their dead with gypsum,
poured a glassy substance over them, and kept the
columns which they had thus formed for a year in the
house. Here they sacrificed to the dead, and afterwards
placed them round the town in long rows . 1

The king of this strange race accepted with scorn the
gifts which Cambyses sent bim, and said that he knew very
well that the Persians did not care for his friendship, and
that Prexaspes had only come to spy out the land. If the
king of Asia were just, he would content himself with his
great realm, and not wish to reduce to servitude a people
who had done him no injury.

“Take this bow to your king,” he said, “and advise
him not to march against us till the Persians can bend
bows like this one as easily as we can. Besides, Cambyses

1 Herod., iii. 20-25.

THE SHOOTING MATCH.

425

ought to thank the gods that the Ethiopians have not yet
thought of trying to add foreign territory to their own.”

W\Jh these words he unstrung his bow, and gave it to
Pi usMspos, who brought the huge weapon to his ruler.

Oambyses laughed at the boastful African, invited his
nobles to try the bow next day, and rewarded Prexaspes
fer his difficult journey, and the skilful way in which he
liad accomplished his mission. Intoxicated as usual, he
lay down, and fell into a restless sleep. "When he awoke
he had dreamt that Bart j a sat on the throne of Persia,
and touched the heavens with his head.

This dream, for the interpretation of which neither Mo-
beds nor Chaldccans were needed, first aroused his anger,
and then made him reflect.

“ Have you not given your brother reason to seek ven-
geance ? ” said the restless man to himself. “ Has he
forgotten that you threw him into a dungeon, and con-
demned him to death, though he was innocent ? Would not
the Acheemenidso help him if you raised your hand against
him ? What have I done to win the love of these venal
courtiers ? What shall I do in the future to win it ? Is
there a single person left, since Nitetis died and the ^
marvellous Greek fled, whom I can trust, or on whose affec-
tion I can rely ? ”

These questions excited his feverish blood so much that he
sprang from his couch, and cried : “ Love will have nothing
to do with me, I will have nothing to do with love. Let
others try kindness, I must use severity, or I shall fall into
the hands of those who hate me because I was just, and
punished great crimes severely. They flatter me to my
face, behind my back they curse me. Even the gods are
my foes, for they rob me of those I love, and do not even
grant me descendants and the martial fame which is my
due. Is Bartja so much better than I, that he should re-
ceive a hundredfold what I must do without ? Love, friend-
ship, honour, children, all come to him like rivers to the
ocean, while my heart is blighted like the desert. But I
am still king, and can and will show him which is the
stronger of us two. Let his head touch the sky ! Only
one can he great in Persia. He or I, I or he. In a few
days I will send bim back to Asia as satrap of Baciria.

m

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

There he may let his wife sing songs to him, and may act
as nurse to his child, while I win unimpaired fame in my
campaign against the Ethiopians. Bring me my garments
and a good draught of wine. I will show the Persians that
I am fit to be king of Ethiopia, and will beat them all in
shooting with the bow. Another draught. I will bend the
bow though its string were a rope and the wood a cedar.”

With these words he emptied a huge cup of wine at one
draught, and fully conscious of his tremendous strength,
and certain of success, he went to the palace garden, where
the nobles of his realm who were awaiting him, prostrated
themselves, and received him with loud shouts of j oy . Pillars
had been quickly erected between the clipped hedges, and
the straight rows of trees, and they were connected with
scarlet cords. Eed, yellow, and dark blue cloths, attached to
gold and silver rings, fluttered from them. Numerous benches
of gilt wood stood around in a large circle, and invited to re-
pose, while swift cup-bearers brought wine in splendid vessels,
and offered it to those who had assembled to try the bow.

At a sign from the king the Achsemenidae rose.

He overlooked their ranks, and saw with joy that his
^ brother was absent. Now Prexaspes gave his ruler the
Ethiopian bow, and pointed to the target, which was placed
at some distance. Cambyses laughed at its size, weighed
it in his right hand, invited his followers to tiy their luck
with him, and handed the bow to old Hystaspes, the chief
of the Achsemenidae. While first he, and then the heads
of the six noblest families of Persia, tried in vain to bend
the huge bow, the king emptied cup after cup, and became
more gay the farther removed they seemed from succeed-
ing in the task set by the Ethiopian.

At last Darius, who was famed for his skill in the use of
the bow, seized the weapon, and tried his strength. But in
spite of all his efforts he could not succeed in bending the
hard wood. The king, pleased at the result, nodded to him
cheerfully, and, certain of victory, looked at his relations
and nobles, and cried : “ G-ive me the bow, Darius. I will
show you that there is only one man in Persia who deserves
the name of king, that only one may d^re to attack the
Ethiopians, that only one man can bend the bow.”

He seized the weapon with his strong hand, grasped the

THE SHOOTING MATCH. 427

ebony bow witb bis left band, and the thick string made of
tbe entrails of a lion witb bis right, took a deep breatb,
bent his powerful back, and pulled, and pulled, with all bis
strength, exerting himself to the utmost, till his muscles
threatened to tear and the veins on his forehead to
burst ; he did not disdain even to use his feet to con-
quer the monster, but it was all in vain. After a quarter
of an hour of superhuman exertion, his strength gave way,
the wood, which he had bent further than Darius, sprang
back, and defied all his efforts. At last, when he felt per-
fectly exhausted, he threw down the bow furiously, and
cried: “ The Ethiopian is a liar. ISTo mortal has ever bent
this weapon. What my arms cannot do no other arm
can accomplish. In three days we march against the
Ethiopians. There I will challenge the cheat to combat,
and show you which of us is the stronger. Lift up the
bow, Prexaspes, and preserve it carefully, for I intend to
strangle the black liar with the string. This wood is truly
harder than iron. I would gladly call the man who could
bend it my master, for he must indeed be of better stuff
than I.”

He had scarcely spoken when Bart j a entered the circle of *
Persians. Pich garments fell round his splendid figure,
and his face was radiant with joy and conscious pride. He
nodded pleasantly as he passed through the lines of the
Achinmenid£e, who greeted the handsome youth with glad
admiration, went straight to his brother, kissed his garment,
and cried, while he looked cheerfully into his sombre eyes :

41 1 am a little late, and need your forgiveness, my gracious
lord and brother. Or have I come at the right time P In-
deed, I see no arrow in the target, and conclude that you,
the best shot in the world, have not yet tried yonr strength.
You look at me questioningly. Well, I must confess that our
child delayed me a short time. The little creature laughed
for the first time to-day, and was so sweet with her mother
that I forgot all about the hour. Laugh at my folly. I
can scarcely excuse myself. Look, the little thing actually
tore my star from my chain. Well, I think, dear brother,
you will give me^notlier if my arrow pierces the bull’s-eye.
May I begin to shoot, or will you, my king, make the
beginning?”

428

AN EGYPTIAN PEINCESS.

“ Give him the how, Prexaspes,” returned Cambyses,
not deigning to look at the youth.

When Bartja had taken the weapon, and was about to
test bow and string carefully, the king laughed mockingly,
and cried : “ I think, by Mithra, that you try to win the
bow as you would the hearts of men with smart looks.
Give Prexaspes the bow. It is easier to play with beautiful
women and laughing children than with this weapon, which
defies the strength of real men.”

Bart j a coloured with anger at these words, which were
spoken very bitterly, took the huge arrow which lay before
him, in his right hand, silently placed himself opposite the
target, summoned all his strength, drew the string with a
superhuman effort, bent the bow, and sent forth the
feathered arrow, whose iron point pierced deep into the
middle of the target, while the wooden shaft broke into
splinters.

Most of the Achaemenidse broke out into loud rejoicings
at this wonderful proof of strength, while the best friends
of the victor turned pale and looked in silence, now at the
king, who trembled with rage, now at Bartja, who was
* radiant with conscious pride.

Camhyses was terrible to behold. It was as though
the arrow in the target had pierced his own heart, his
dignity, his strength, his honour. His eyes flashed, there
was a roaring in his ears as though the storm-wind
drove wild waves past him, his cheeks flushed, his right
hand convulsively clutched the aim of Prexaspes, who
stood by him. He knew well how to interpret the pressure
of the royal hand, and murmured : “ Poor Bartja ! ”

At last the king succeeded in regaining his composure.
In silence he threw his brother a gold chain, ordered his
nobles to follow him, and left the garden to wander up
and down his room, and drown his anger in wine. Sud-
denly he seemed to have formed a resolution, ordered all
his courtiers to leave the hall except Prexaspes, and when
they were alone, he cried to him hoarsely, and with drunken
look : “I can no longer endure this life. Rid me of my
foe, and I will call you my friend and benefactor.”

Prexaspes trembled, threw himself at his ruler’s feet,
and raised his hands in entreaty. Cambyses was too

THE SHOOTING MATCH.

429

intoxicated, and too much blinded by his hate, to under-
stand his courtier’s gesture. He thought the ambassador
meant to assure him of his obedience by kneeling at his
feet, signed to him to rise, and whispered as though he
feared to hear his own words : “ Act quickly and secretly.
Ho one but we two must know of the death of this child
of fortune ; as you value your life go, and when your work
is done, take what you will out of the treasury. But be
careful, for the boy has a strong arm, and understands
how to win friends. Think of your wife and children
when he tempts you with soft words.”

At these words he emptied another cup of unmixed
wine, staggered with uncertain step through the door of the
room, and cried, turning his back on Prexaspes, and as
though he spoke to himself in a hoarse voice, with heavy
tongue and clenched fist : “ Woe to you and yours if this
woman’s hero, this child of fortune, this thief of honour,
remains alive.”

Long after the king had left the hall, Prexaspes stood
motionless. The ambitious, but by no means ignoble, ser-
vant of the despot was crushed by the horror of the task as-
signed to him. He knew that death or disgrace awaited him
and his if he refused to carry out the criminal command of
the king; but he loved Bartja, and he recoiled from the
thought of committing a common murder. A dreadful
struggle arose in his breast, and raged long after he had
left the palace. On the way to his house he met Croesus
and Darius. He hid behind the projecting door of a large
Egyptian house, for he thought they must see in his face
that he was treading the path of crime. When they passed
him, he heard Croesus say: “I have severely reproved
Bartja for his unlucky exhibition of strength ; and we must
thank the gods that Cambyses did not attack him in his
fury. How he has taken my advice, and gone to Sais with
his wife. The king must not see him for a few days, for
his anger might easily awake again at sight of him, and a
ruler can always find abandoned servants — ”

His words died away in the distance, and Prexaspes
started as though jOroesus had accused him of the shameful
deed, and ho resolved that whatever happened he would
not stain his hands with the blood of a friend. He drew

4*30

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

Himself up to His full HeigHt, and went on till He readied
tHe House appointed for His residence. At tHe door His two
sons sprang towards Him ; they had crept away from the
playground of the young Achsemenidoo, who as usual fol-
lowed the army and the king, in order to greet their father
for a minute. He pressed the pretty children to His breast
with unusual emotion, which He Himself could not under-
stand, and embraced them again, when they declared that
they must return to the playground, if they did not wish to
be punished. In His House He found His favourite wife play-
ing with Her youngest child, a pretty little girl. Again
that strange emotion seized Him. He controlled it in
order not to betray His secret to His young wife, and soon
retired to His chamber.

Meanwhile night Had fallen. Sorely tempted He tossed
sleeplessly on His couch. THe thought that His refusal
to fulfil the king’s behest would expose His wife and children
to destruction, appeared before His mind in all its terror.
He lost the strength to keep His resolution, and the very
words of Croesus which Had obtained a temporary victory
for his nobler feelings, now caused them to be conquered.
“ A ruler always finds abandoned servants.” These words
certainly disgraced Him, but they reminded him that if he
defied the king, a hundred others would be ready to obey
his commands.

This thought soon dominated over every other idea. He
sprang from his couch, tested the various daggers, which
were ranged in order along the walls of his bedroom,
and laid the sharpest on a little table near the divan.
Then he walked up and down and went repeatedly to the
window, to see if it was not yet day, and to cool his
heated brow.

When at last the darkness of night yielded to bright
daylight, and the gong which summoned the boys to
prayers again reminded him of his sons, he once more
tested his dagger. When a richly dressed host of courtiers
rode past his house to go to the king, he put it in his
belt. When he heard the gay laughter of his youngest
child in the women’s apartment, he p]^ced his tiara on
his head with some haste, and without bidding his wife
farewell, he went, accompanied by several slaves, to the

THE SHOOTING- MATCH.

431

Nile, entered a boat and bade the oarsmen take him to
Sais.

Bart j a had followed Croesus’ advice a few hours after
the momentous shooting match, and started for Sais with his
young wife. There he found Ehodopis who, instead of re-
turning to Naucratis, had followed an irresistible impulse
and gone to Sais. After the expedition, Bart j a had fallen
on landing, and with her own eyes she had seen that an
owl flew close past him from the left. These evil omens
sufficed to agitate her mind, which was by no means
superior to the superstitions of her age, and strengthened
her desire to be near the young couple. She quickly re-
solved, on awaking from a restless sleep troubled by con-
fused, evil dreams, to await her grandchild in Sais.

The young couple rejoiced at the arrival of the beloved,
unexpected visitor, and led Ekodopis to the rooms that were
ready for her, after she had played with her little great-
grandchild, Parmys, to her heart’s content. They were
the same rooms in which unhappy Tackot had spent the
last months of her life. Ehodopis looked with deep
emotion at all the trifles which betrayed not only the sex
and age of the dead but also her tastes and character. On
the dressing-table stood numerous ointment-boxes and
little phials with scents, paints and oils. One box, which
was an exact representation of a Nile goose, and another,
on one side of which a lute- player was painted, had once con-
tained the costly gold ornaments of the princess. That metal
mirror, the handle of which represented a sleeping maiden,
had once reflected the faintly flushed face of the dead
girl. The whole arrangement of the room, from the dainty
bed on lion’s daws to the delicately carved ivory combs,
showed that the former inhabitant of these rooms had
loved the outward adornments of life. The golden sistrum
and beautifully worked nabla, the strings of which had
been broken long ago, pointed to the musical tastes of
the princess, while the broken ivory spindle in the comer,
and a few nets of beads which had been begun, showed
that she had been fond of feminine work.

Ehodopis surveyed all these things with melancholy
satisfaction, and made them her starting point for imagining
a life which differed very little from what the reality hadbeen.

432

AN EGYPTIAN PEINCESS.

At last, urged by curiosity and sympathy, she approached a
large, painted chest, and raised the light lid. There she
found first a few dried flowers, then a hall which a skilful
hand had wrapped in leaves and roses, faded long ago, then
a number of amulets of various shape, one representing the
goddess of truth, another concealing, in a golden box, a
piece of papyrus covered with magic formulae. Then her
eyes fell on some letters written in Greek characters. She
took them and read them by the light of the lamp.
Nitetis had written them from Persia to her reputed sister,
of whose illness she knew nothing. When Rhodopis put
down the letters, her eyes were filled with tears. The
maiden’s secret was revealed to her. She knew that Tachot
had loved Bartja, that she had received the withered
flowers from his hand, and had wrapped the ball in roses,
because he had thrown it to her. The amulets were pro-
bably intended to cure her sick heart or to awaken love in
the prince.

When at last she was about to replace the letters she
touched some cloths, which seemed to fill the bottom of
the box, and found that they covered a hard, round sub-
r stance. She raised them and found underneath a bust of
coloured wax, which represented Nitetis with such life-like
fidelity that Rhodopis could not repress an exclamation of
surprise, and for a long time she could not turn her eyes
from the wonderful handiwork of Theodorus of Samos.

Then she lay down and fell asleep thinking of the un-
happy fate of the Egyptian princess.

The following morning, she went to the garden, which
we entered during Amasis’ lifetime, and under a bower of
vines she found those whom she sought.

Sappho sat on a chair of light wicker-work. On her lap
lay a naked baby, which stretched its hands and feet, now
towards its father, who knelt on the ground in front of his

J r oung wife, now towards its mother, who bent down
aughing. When the child hid its fingers in the curls and
beard of the young hero, he drew his head hack gently so
that he might feel the strength of his darling and let her
feel that she had actually pulled her father’s hair.
When the active little feet touched his face, he took them
in his hand and kissed the pretty, rosy toes, and the sole;

THE SHOOTING MATCH.

433

which was still as soft and delicate as the cheek of a
maiden. When little Parmys clasped one of his fingers,
he pretended that he was unable to free himself, and kissed
the plump shoulder, or the dimples in her elbows, or even
the snow-white back of the pretty child. Sappho shared in
this innocent sport, and was trying to direct the child’s
attention exclusively towards her father.

Now and then, she bent down over the child to kiss the
fresh, slightly moist neck, or the red, childish lips, and
her brow sometimes touched the curls of her husband, who
then always robbed the child of the kiss which she had just
received.

Khodopis looked on for a long while unseen, and prayed
to the gods, with tears in her eyes, that they would preserve
the intense and pure happiness of her darlings. At last
she approached the bower, bade the young couple good
morning, and praised old Melitta, who had come with a
great sunshade to carry little Parmys out of the glaring
sunlight and take her to bed.

The old slave had been appointed head nurse of the royal
child, and filled her office with a dignity comic to behold.
She clothed herself in rich Persian garments ; she felt tru^
bliss in issuing commands, and kept the slaves under her,
whom she treated with great condescension, constantly
employed.

Sappho followed the old slave, after she had laid her arm
round her husband’s neck, and whispered, coaxingly : “Tell
grandmother everything, and ask if she agrees with you.”

Before Bart j a could answer, she kissed him, and
hastily followed the old woman, who strode on with
dignity.

The prince looked after her smiling, and could not suf-
ficiently admire her light step and perfect figure. At last
he turned to Bhodopis, and asked : “ Do you not think she
has grown lately ? ”

“ It looks like it,” was the answer. “ Maidenhood gives
a peculiar charm and grace to a woman ; but it is mother-
hood which first confers real dignity on her. It raises a
woman's head. • We think she has grown physically when
she is in reality elevated by the consciousness of having
fulfilled her destiny,”

E F

434

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

“ Yes, I think she is happy,” returned Bartja. “ Yester-
day we differed for the first time. When she left ns just
now, she whispered to me to tell you the cause of our dis-
pute, and I gladly obey her, for I esteem your wisdom and
experience as highly as I love her childish inexperience.”

Bartja now told the story of the fatal shooting match,
and concluded with the words : “ Croesus blamed my im-
prudence ; but I know my brother, and know that in anger
he is capable of any act of violence, and that he might easily
have killed me at the moment of defeat ; but when his anger
is over, he will forget my superior skill, and only try in
future to excel me in great deeds. A year ago he was the
best shot in Persia, and would be still if drink and those
evil convulsions had not weakened his tremendous strength.
On the other hand, I feel my strength increase every
day.”

“ Pure happiness,” interrupted Ehodopis, “ strengthens a
man’s arm as it heightens a woman’s beauty, while intem-
perance and troubles of the soul are more certain to dis-
order body and mind than illness and age. Beware of
your brother, my son, for his once noble soul may lose its
^greatness, just as his once powerful arm has grown weak.
Trust my experience, which teaches me that he who be-
comes the slave of one ignoble passion seldom remains
master of his other passions. Besides, no one finds it so
hard to bear humiliation as he who feels his power decline.
Beware of your brother, and trust the voice of experience
more than your own heart, which, because it is noble, is
inclined to think all others noble.”

“Your words,” returned Bartja, “show me that you
will agree with Sappho. She asked me to leave Egypt, and
to return with her to Persia, though she would find it
hard to part from you. She thinks Cambyses will for-
get his anger if he neither sees me, nor hears of me. I
thought her too anxious till now, and was unwilling to be
excluded from the campaign against the Ethiopians.”

“ But,” interrupted Ehodopis, “ I must entreat you to
follow her advice, which was inspired by true instinct and
love. The gods know what sorrow it will <£tuse me to part
from you; but I repeat, over and over again, return to
Persia, and remember that only fools risk life and happiness

THE SHOOTING MATCH.

435

without an object* The war with Ethiopia is madness, for
you will not be conquered by its black inhabitants, but by
heat, thirst, and the horrors of the desert. This refers to the
whole campaign ; but as for you, you must remember that
you risk your own life and the happiness of your family in
vain, if no fame is to be won, while you would again excite
the anger and jealousy of your brother, if you distinguished
yourself. Return to Persia, my son, as soon as possible,”
Part j a was about to oppose doubts and objections, when
he saw Prexaspes advance towards them with pale face.

A Her the usual greetings and questions, the ambassador
whispered to the youth that he must speak with him alone ;
and when Rhodopis had left them, he said, playing with the
rings on his fingers in an embarrassed way : u The king
has sent me to you. You vexed him yesterday by your
exhibition of strength. He does not wish to see yon for
some time, and, therefore, orders you to go to Arabia, and
buy as many camels as possible there. These animals,
which can bear thirst for a long time, are to carry the
water and provisions for our army to Ethiopia. Our journey
must not be delayed. Take leave of your wife, and be
ready to start fore dark, in obedience to the king’s com- #
mand. You^dl be away at least a month. I will accom-
pany you as far as Pelusium. Cassandane desires to have
your wife and child near her meanwhile. Send them as
soon as possible to Memphis, where they will be safe in
charge of the king’s great mother.”

Bart j a listened to Prexaspes without noticing the abrupt,
embarrassed manner of the ambassador. He was pleased
with the apparent moderation of his brother, and with the
commission which raised all doubts as to bis departure from
Egypt. He gave his hand to his pretended friend to kiss,
and invited him to follow him to the palace.

When it began to grow cooler, he took a brief, affec-
tionate farewell of his wife, and of the child which lay 'in
Melitta’s arms, bade Sappho go to Cassandane as soon as
possible, said laughingly to Rhodopis that this time she
had been mistaken in her estimate of a man’s character —
that is to say, ofihis brother’s, — and sprang on his horse.

When Prexaspes was about to mount, Sappho whispered
to him : “ Take care of him, and remind the madcap of me

436

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

and of the child, whenever he is about to expose himself to
unnecessary danger.”

44 I must leave him at Pelusium,” answered the ambas-
sador, arranging the bridle of his horse, in order to avoid
the young wife’s eyes.

44 Then the gods will protect him,” cried Sappho, seizing
the hand of her beloved husband, and bursting into un-
controllable tears. He looked down at her, and saw that
his wife, usually so confident, was weeping. Then a painful
feeling, such as he had never yet experienced, seized him
too. He bent down affectionately, put his strong arm
round her, lifted her up, and while she stood with her
foot on his, which rested in the stirrup, he pressed her to
his heart, as though to say : 44 Farewell for ever ! ” Then
he gently placed her on the ground again, took his child
once more, kissed her, and jestingly bade her be a comfort
to her mother, called out a few hearty words of farewell to
Rhodopis, gave his horse the spurs, so that it reared wildly,
and, accompanied by Prexaspes, galloped through the
palace gates. As soon as the sound of the horses’ hoofs
had died away in the distance, Sappho flung herself on her
P grandmother’s breast, and, in spite of her grave exhorta-
tions and severe reproof, wept unceasingly.

CHAPTER XXXL

THE KING’S REMORSE.

O N the morning of the day which followed the shooting
match, Cambyses was seized by so violent an attack
of his illness that he lay in his room for forty-eight hours,
sick in body and mind — now he sank down utterly exhausted,
now he raved like a madman.

When his full consciousness returned on the third day,
he remembered the dreadful commission which Prexaspes
had, perhaps, already executed. He trembled at this possi-
bility as he had never trembled before; summoned the
eldest son of the ambassador, who filled the high office of
cupbearer, and learned from him that his father had left
Memphis without taking leave of anyone. Then he sent
for Darius, Zopyrus, and Gyges, who he knew were Bartja’s
best friends, and asked them where their friend was.

When he heard that he was in Sais, he ordered the young
men to hasten thither, and bade them send Prexaspes to
Memphis at once, if they chanced to meet him. The young
AchiemcnidiB could not understand the king’s strange be-
haviour and eagerness ; but they set forth immediately, for
they foreboded nothing good.

Meanwhile Cambyses could not rest, cursed bis drunken-
ness in silence, and did not touch wine for a whole day.
When he met his mother in the palace garden of the
Pharaohs, he avoided her, feeling that he could not meet

her gaze. >

Another week passed, which seemed to him as long as
a vear, but Prexayspes did not return. He sent again and
again for the cup-bearer, and asked him if his father had
not returned ; each time he was answered in the negative.

438

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

Wlien the sun set on the thirteenth day, Cassandane
asked him to visit her. He went to her rooms at once, for
he longed to see his mother’s face. It seemed to him as
though it must restore his lost sleep. After he had
greeted her with a tenderness that surprised her, all the
more because she was not used to such demonstrations
from him, he learned that Bartja’s wife had arrived
under strange circumstances, and desired to offer him a
gift. He at once sent for her, and learned from her that
Prexaspes had brought her husband orders to go to
Arabia, and had bidden her go to Memphis in Cassandane’ s
name. The king turned pale at this news, and looked with
pain at his brother’s fair wife. The young Greek felt
that something strange was passing in the king’s mind,
and, alarmed by dreadful forebodings, she gave him with
trembling hands the gift she had brought him.

“ My husband sent you this,” she said, pointing to the
wax image of Hitetis, which lay hidden in an artistically
worked box. Rhodopis had advised her to bring it in
Bart] a’ s name, as though it were a gift of reconciliation for
the angry king.

c Cambyses gave the box, the contents of which did not
seem to rouse his curiosity much, to a eunuch, said a few
words to his sister-in-law which were meant to express his
thanks, and left the house at once without asking af ter Atossa,
whom he seemed quite to have forgotten. He had thought
the visit would do him good and calm him, but the news
had robbed him of his last hope and therefore of liis rest.
Prexaspes must already have committed the murder, or at
that moment perhaps was raising the dagger to pierce the
young man’s heart. How should he meet his mother after
Bartja’s death ? How should be answer her questions and
those of the beautiful woman who had looked at him with
such touching anxiety in her large eyes ?

A cold shudder passed over him, when an inner voice
cried to him that his brother’s murder was an unnatural
deed of fear, of cowardice, of injustice. The thought
that he was an assassin seemed intolerable to him. He
had sent many a man to death without a pang, but it
had been done in open fight or before the eyes of the world.
He was the king, and what he did was right. If he had

THE KING’S REMORSE.

439

killed Bartja with his own hand, he could have calmed his
conscience, but he had got rid of him secretly, he had
ordered his assassination after he had given evidence of
his manly excellence which was worthy of the highest
fame, and therefore Canibyses was tortured with a shame
and remorse unknown till then, and was overcome by wild
fury at his crime. He began to despise himself. He no
longer felt that he only desired and did what was right, and
he thought that all those who died by his orders were, like
Bartja, innocent victims of his wrath. To drown these
thoughts, which became more and more intolerable, he again
turned to the intoxicating juice of the grape. This time
his comforter became a torment for body and mind. His
frame, weakened by drink and epilepsy, seemed ready to
give way under the many cruel emotions of the last few
months. He alternately shivered with cold or burned with
fever, and was obliged to seek his couch.

While he was being undressed, he remembered his
brother’s gift. He had the box brought and opened, and bade
his attendants leave him ; he could not avoid thinking of
Nitetis when he saw the Egyptian paintings which covered
the box, and asking himself what the deceased would have*
thought of his last deed. Eeverish and confused, he bent
over the box at last, took from it the wax image of the
beautiful head, and stared with horror at its dull, motion-
less eyes. The resemblance was so great and his mental
powers were so weakened by wine and fever that he
thought he was bewitched. But lie did not turn his eyes
from the beloved face. Suddenly it seemed to him that
the image moved its eyes. Wild terror seized liim. With
a convulsive gesture, he flung the animated image against
the wall, the hollow, brittle wax broke into a thousand
pieces, and he sank back groaning on his couch. From that
moment his fever increased in violence. The unhappy
man in his delirium thought he saw exiled Phanes, who
sang a frivolous Greek song and abused him shamefully, so
that he clenched his fist in fury. Then he saw Croesus,
his friend, who threatened him, and again uttered the words
with which he had warned him when he was about to have
Bartja executed for Nitetis’ sake : “ Beware of shedding
your brother’s blood, for know its fumes will rise up to

440

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

heaven and become clouds, which will darken the days o£
the murderer, and finally hurl a dart of vengeance down
on him.”

In his delirium the metaphor seemed turned to reality.
He thought a bloody rain fell on him from dark clouds
and the horrible moisture wetted his clothes and hands.
When it ceased at last, and he approached the shores of the
ISTile to purify himself, Nitetis came towards him with the
sweet smile with which Theodorus had represented her.
Enchanted at the lovely apparition, he flung himself at her
feet, and seized her hand. He had scarcely touched her
when a drop of blood appeared on the tip of each of her
delicate fingers, and she turned her back on him with
horror. How Cambyses humbly implored the vision to
pardon him and to return ; but she remained inexorable.
Theu he grew furious and threatened her first with his
anger, then with terrible punishment, and at last when
Nitetis answered his words with a low, mocking laugh, he
dared to throw his dagger at her. Then she crumbled into
a thousand pieces as the wax image had done when it
broke against the wall, but the mocking laugh continued
^and grew louder and louder, many voices joining in and
trying to outdo each other in scorn and contempt. And the
voices of Bartja and Nitetis sounded clearest in his ear and
seemed to scorn him most bitterly, and at last he was no
longer able to bear the horrible sounds and stopped his ears,
and when this did not help him, he hid his head in the
burning sand of the desert, and then in the icy Nile, and
again in the glowing sand, and then again in the cold
water, till his senses left him. When he woke, at last, he
could not distinguish between dream and reality. He had
lain down at night, and the sun which gilded his couch
with its parting rays showed him that it was not the dawn
as he expected, but the night which was approaching. He
could not be mistaken, for he heard the singing of the
priests, who uttered their last farewells to parting Mithra.

Now he heard people stirring behind a curtain at the
head of his couch. He wished to move, but found that he
was too weak. At last, when he had in $ain tried to dis-
tinguish between dream and reality and between reality and
dream, he called his attendants and the other courtiers

THE KING’S REMORSE.

441

who were wont to he present when he rose. Imme-
diately, not only they, hut also his mother, Prexaspes,
many learned magi, and a few unknown Egyptians,
entered, and told him that he had been ill of’ a vio-
lent fever for weeks, and had only been saved from
death by the grace of the gods, the skill of the physicians,
and the unwearied care of his mother. Then he looked
questioningly at Prexaspes, and lost consciousness again ;
next morning, after a healthy sleep, he awoke with re-
newed strength.

Pour days later he was strong enough to sit in an arm-
chair, and to question Prexaspes about the sole matter
which occupied his mind. The ambassador wished to answer
evasively, because his master was still weak ; but when
the king raised his thin hand threateningly, and looked at
him with a glance which was still terrible, Prexaspes de-
layed no longer, and said, thinking that he was giving
great satisfaction to Cambvses : 4 Rejoice, my lord. The
youth who dared to try and diminish your fame is no more.
This hand slew him, and buried his body by Baal Zepbon.
No one saw the deed save the sand of the desert and the
barren waves of tlie Red Sea. No one knows of it, sav<^
you and I and the gulls and ravens that fly round his
grave.”

A piercing cry of fury burst from the lips of the king,
who broke down, suffered from renewed attacks of fever,
and uttered wild, delirious ravings. Weeks passed, and
each day threatened to be the king’s last. His strong body
at length overcame the dangerous relapses ; but his mind
had not been able to withstand the demons of fever, and
remained disordered and impaired till his end.

When he was allowed to leave his room, and could ride
and bend the bow again, he gave himself up more than
ever to wine, and lost all power of self-control.

Besides this, his disordered mind was filled with the
hallucination that Bartja was not dead, hut had been
changed into the bow of the king of Ethiopia, and that the
Eeruer of his dead father had ordered him to restore his
brother to his former shape by conquering tbe black race.

This idea, which he confided to everyone around him as
a great secret, haunted him day and night, and left him no

442

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

peace till he started for Ethiopia with a large army . He was,
however, obliged to return home without attaining his
object, after the greater part of the army had perished
miserably, through heat and want of food and water.

A writer of that time, who was almost his contemporary , 1
says that when the provisions were exhausted, the unhappy
soldiers fed as long as they could on herbs ; but when ail
vegetation ceased in the desert, in their desperation they
took refuge in an expedient which the pen shrinks from
recording. The soldiers drew lots, and every tenth man
who drew the fatal number was eaten.

Now they forced the king to return home ; but as soon
as they reached inhabited places, after the fashion of
Asiastic slaves, they obeyed him blindly, in spite of his
insanity.

When he entered Memphis, with the remains of his
arrby, the Egyptians ha d found a new Apis, and, gorgeously
dressed, were celebrating a great festival, in honour of
the god, who had reappeared in the shape of the sacred
bull. *

As Cambyses had already heard at Thebes that the army
^which he had sent against the oasis of Ammon in the
\ Libyan desert had perished miserably through the wind of
the desert, and that the sailors of the fleet which he had
sent to conquer Carthage had refused to fight against the
men of their own race, the king thought the inhabitants of
Memphis were keeping their festival to celebrate his un-
successful campaigns. He summoned the chief men of the
town, reproached them for their behaviour, and asked why
they were so stubborn and gloomy after his victories, and
showed such wild joy after his defeat. The Memphians
explained the cause of their joy, and assured him that the
appearance of the divine bull was always celebrated in
Egypt with joyous festivals and processions. Cambyses
called them liars, and condemned them to death. Then
he summoned the priests, and received the same answer
from them. Sneering and scofiing, he wished to become
acquainted with the new deity, and ordered him to be
brought. Apis was brought, and the kingjvas told that fie

1 Herodotus visited Egypt about sixty years after Cambyses’ death.
Herod iii. 25.

THE KING'S REMORSE.

443

was conceived by a virgin cow, through a ray of moonlight,
that he must be black, have a white triangle on his brow,
the image of an eagle on his back, and a crescent on his
side. On the tail, two kinds of hair must be found, and
on the tongue an excrescence, resembling the sacred
beetle.

When the divine bull stood before him and he could dis-
cover nothing exceptional in him, Cambyses became furious
and plunged his sword into his side. When he saw the
blood stream forth and the Apis fall, he laughed shrilly and
cried : “ You fools, your gods consist of flesh and blood and
<*an be wounded. Such folly is worthy of you. But you
shall see that I am not to be laughed at with impunity.
Guards, scourge these priests, and kill every one whom
you find keeping this mad festival.”

His orders wore obeyed, and the fury of the Egyptians
was increased to the utmost.

When the Apis died of his wound, the inhabitants of
Memphis buried him secretly in the tombs of the sacred
bulls iu the Serapcum, and then tried to revolt against the
Persians, under Psamtik’s command. The revolt was,
however, soon suppressed, and cost the unhappy son £f
Arnasis his life; his crimes and severity deserve to be
forgotten, on account of his restless endeavours to free his
people from a foreign yoke, and his death for freedom.

Cambyses* madness had meanwhile assumed a new form.
After the vain endeavour to restore Bartja, whom he
thought changed to a bow, to his former shape, his irrita-
tion increased, so that a word or a look which displeased
him, could make him rave.

His faithful counsellor, Crcesus, did not leave him,
although the Icing had several times given him to the
guards for execution. They knew their master and, cer-
tain of impunity, were careful not to harm the old man, be-
cause on the following day Cambyses had either forgotten
his order or had long ago repented of it. Once, however,
the unhappy whip-bearers were obliged to suffer cruelly
Jot their forbearance, for though Cambyses was pleased at
his friend's safety, he punished the disobedience of his
preservers with death.

Wo shrink from relating much of the barbarous cruelty

444

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

of the mad king in those days, but still we cannot
omit several incidents which seem to us especially charac-
teristic.

One day at the banquet, when intoxicated, he asked
Prexaspes what the Persians said of him. The ambassador,
who in his desire to silence his torturing conscience by
noble deeds of a dangerous character, took advan-
tage of every opportunity to influence the unhappy
king for his good, answered that they praised him in
every respect, but thought he was too much addicted to
wine.

At these words, spoken half- jestingly, the madman
raged and cried : “Do the Persians say that wine robs me
of my senses F I will show them that they have forgotten
how to judge me proper ly.”

At these words he bent his bow, aimed for a minute and
shot through the breast the eldest son of Prexaspes, the
royal cup-bearer, who was waiting at the back of the hall
for the king’s signal. Then he gave orders that the
unhappy youth should be opened ; the arrow had pierced
the centre of the heart. The insane tyrant rejoiced and
c^ied, laughing : “ Now, Prexaspes, you see that it is not I,
but the Persians who have lost their senses. Who could
aim better than I ? ”

Prexaspes looked on at the terrible scene pale and
motionless as the stone Niobe by the Sipylus. His slavish
soul bowed before the omnipotent king, and did not force
the dagger of vengeance into his hand. When the mad-
man repeated his question, he pressed his hand on his
heart and murmured : “No one could aim better/'

A few weeks later the king went to Sais. When he was
shown the apartments of his former love, long forgotten
thoughts revived with increased force, and his dulled
memory reminded him at the same time that Amasis had
deceived him and her. Without being able to account for
all the details, he cursed the dead man, and was led, raging,
to the temple of Neith, where Amasis' mummy reposed.
He dragged the embalmed corpse of the king from the
sarcophagus, had it beaten with rods, prick^L with needles*
and finally, in defiance of the religious laws of the Persians
which esteem it a deadly sin to defile the pure fire with

THE KING’S REMORSE.

445

corpses, lie had it burnt. He condemned the body of
Arnasis’ first wife, who reposed in her sarcophagus at
Thebes, to the same fate.

On his return to Memphis he did not shrink from ill-
treating his wife and sister, Atossa, with his own hand.

One day, he had arranged some games in which a dog
was to fight a young lion. When the lion had overcome
his opponent, another dog, the brother of the vanquished
animal, broke loose from his chain, rushed at the lion, and
conquered him with the help of the wounded dog.

This sight delighted Cambyses greatly, but it caused
Cassandane and Atossa, who were obliged to be present by
the king’s command, to weep aloud.

The astonished tyrant asked the cause of their tears, and
was answered by hot-tempered Atossa, that the brave
animal who risked his life for his brother reminded her of
Bartja, who had been killed unavenged, she would not
say by whom.

These words aroused the fury and the slumbering con-
science of the mad king to such a degree, that he struck
t he rash woman and would, perhaps, have killed her with
his own hands if his mother had not caught his arm, and.
exposed herself to his furious blows.

The sacred face, and the voice of his mother sufficed to
subdue bis anger ; ber look, which fell on him, was so
full of scathing anger and intense contempt, that he could
not forget it, and the delusion awoke in his mind that he
would be poisoned by tbe eyes of women. From that time,
whenever he saw a woman, he started and hid himself be-
hind his companions, till at last he ordered that all the
women at the palace of Memphis, including his mother,
were to be taken to Ecbatana. Araspes and Gyges received
orders to accompany them to Persia.

The royal women arrived at Sais and dismounted at the
palace of the Pharaohs. Croesus accompanied them to
this town. Cassandane had changed greatly during the
last few years. Peep furrows caused by grief and sorrow
lified her once l^autiful face, but pain had not been£able
to bow her tall form.

Atossa, her daughter, had, on the contrary, become more

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

446

beautiful in spite of much sorrow. The wild girl had
changed to a perfectly developed woman, the impetuous,
obstinate child had become a spirited woman of strong will.
The experience of life and three sad years spent at the
side of her insane brother and husband had been excellent
teachers of patience, but had not succeeded in turning her
heart from her first love. Sappho’s friendship had to com-
pensate her to a certain extent for the loss of Darius.

The young Greek had become another being since the
disappearance of her husband. She had long ago lost her
rosy colour and her charming smile. Wonderfully beauti-
ful, in spite of her pallor, her lowered lashes, and languid
bearing, she was like Ariadne awaiting the return of
Theseus. Longing and expectation were visible in the ex-
pression of her eyes and the tone of her voice, and in her
composed bearing. When steps approached, when a door
opened, or a man’s voice was heard unexpectedly, she
started, rose, and listened, and, once more disappointed,
did not renounce her hope, but surrendered herself anew
to longing, and thought and dreamed as she had loved to
do formerly.

« It was only when she played with her child and tended
her that she seemed herself again. Then her cheeks
flushed, her eyes brightened, and she seemed to live again
in the present, instead of in the past or future.

The child was everything to her. Bartja lived for her in
the little girl; she could bestow all her affection on her
without withdrawing it from her lost husband. With the
child, the gods had given her an aim in life — a tie which
again connected her with the world, the best part of which
seemed to have been lost when her husband disappeared.
Sometimes when she looked at the blue eyes of the pretty
child, which were so like her father’s, she thought: “Why
is she not a boy ? He would become more like him every
day, and at last stand before me a second Bartja, if there
could be another ! ”

These thoughts did not continue long, and generally
ended in her embracing the child with increased tenderness,
and reproaching herself as ungrateful and foolish.

One day Atossa, with -the same thought in her mind, ex-
claimed : “ 0 that Parmys were a boy ! He would become

THE HINGES REMORSE.

447

more like his father every day, and rule over Persia a
second Cyrus.”

Sappho smiled sadly as she agreed with her friend, and
covered her child with kisses.

But Oassandane said : “ Acknowledge the kindness of
the gods, my daughter, in giving you a girl. If Parmys
were a hoy, your child would be taken from you as soon as
he completed his sixth year, to be educated with the
children of the other Aclioemenidae, while the girl will be
yours for a long time.”

Sappho t nmi bled at the mere thought of parting from
her child, pressed the fair, curly head to her breast, and
from that time had no fault to ftnd with her precious
treasure.

At, ossa’s friendship soothed the aching heart of the
young widow. With her she could speak of Bartja as
often and as long as she liked, and she was always certain
of a kind, sympathetic listener, for Atossa had loved her
lost brother dearly. But even a stranger would have liked
to hear Sappho's story, for often her words ass um ed a
rhythmical^ form. It seemed as though the memory of
the springtime of her happiness put into words made her a •
divinely gifted poet. When she seized her lyre, and sang
with Ixir beautiful, pure, mournful voice, the passionate
songs of yearning of the Lesbian swan, in which she found her
own feelings expressed, then she thought that she sat with
her love in the silent night, beneath the scented jessamine,
and, carried away from reality into the enchanted land
of fancy, she forgot the sad present ; every time she laid
down the lyre, and with a deep sigh returned from the land
of dreams, Oassandane, though she could not understand
Greek, wiped away a tear, and Atossa bent down to kiss
her brow.

Three years had passed like this, during which she
seldom saw her grandmother, for by Cambyses’ command,
for Parmys’ sake, she was never allowed to leave the harem
without the leave and the escort of Oassandane or the
eunuchs.

Now Croesus, Vko still loved her as a daughter, had
summoned Rhodopis to Sais. Sappho could not leave
without bidding farewell to her best friend, and Cas-

448

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

sandane and the old Lydian fully agreed with her. Cyrus*
widow had heard so much of the noble grandmother of her
daughter-in-law that she wished to know her, and sent for
her after Sappho had welcomed her affectionately.

When the two women stood face to face, no stranger could
have known which was the queen ; he would have thought
that both were bom to rule. Croesus, who was equally
attached to the Persian and the Greek, undertook the office
of interpreter, and assisted by the pliant mind of Rhodopis,
he managed to sustain the conversation.

After Rhodopis had, with her peculiar power of fascina-
tion, won Cassandane’s heart, the queen, in accordance
with Persian custom, thought she could not show her
satisfaction better than by asking her to express a wish.

Rhodopis hesitated a minute before she cried, raising
her hands as though in prayer: “Leave me Sappho, the
comfort and joy of my old age.”

Cassandane smiled sadly, and returned: “ I cannot grant
this request, for our law commands that the children of
the Achaamenidse shall be educated at the king’s gate. I
may not give up little Parmys, Cyrus’ only grandchild ;
and much as she loves you, Sappho would never leave her
child. Besides, she is so dear to me and my daughter that,
though I understand your yearning, I can never let her
g°”

When Cassandane saw the eyes of the Greek fill with
tears, she said : “ But I know a remedy. Leave Naucratis,
and come to Persia with us. There you shall spend your
last days with your grandchild, and be cared for like a
queen.”

Rhodopis shook her beautiful grey head, and returned,
in a subdued voice : “ I thank you for your gracious
invitation, great queen, but I feel that I cannot accept it.
All the fibres of my heart are rooted in Greece, and they
would break if I left it for ever. I am used to constant
activity and stirring exchange of thought, and unrestrained
liberty. I should pine and die in the restraint of the
harem. Croesus prepared me for your kind plan, an<J I
underwent a severe struggle before I comld convince my-
self that it was my duty to sacrifice what I loved most for
what was best for me. It is so much harder to live a good

THE KING’S REMORSE.

449

and beautiful than a happy life, that it is all the more
honourable and more worthy of the name of Greek to
follow duty instead of happiness. !M [y heart longs for
Persia and Sappho, my mind and experience belong to
Greece. If you hear some day that the people alone rule in
Greece, and that the nation hows only to its gods and its
laws, to what is good and beautiful, you will know that the
task to which Ehodopis and the best Greeks dedicated
their lives is accomplished. Do not be angry with the
Greek who, let me confess it, would rather die of longing,
a free beggar, than live as a queen, who is called happy, but
who is a slave.”

Cassandane listened with surprise to Ehodopis, and
understood her only in part, but she felt that she had
spoken nobly, and at the end of her speech gave her her
hand to kiss. Then, after a short pause, she said : “ Do
as you think right, and rest assured that as long as I and
my daughter live, your grandchild shall not want for true
love.”

u Your noble face and the renown of your virtues,
assure me of that,” answered Ehodopis.

“ As well as my duty to make good as far as I can the
wrong done to your grandchild.”

The queen sighed sadly, and continued : “ All possible
care shall be paid to little Parmys’ education. She seems
richly endowed by nature, and already sings after her
mother the songs of her home. I do not object to her love
of music, although in Persia the art is only cultivated by
low-born people, or for divine service.

Ehodopis grew excited at her words, and said : “ Will
you allow me to speak plainly, 0 queen ? ”

“ Speak fearlessly ”

** When you sighed at the thought of the excellent son
you have lost, I thought, perhaps, the noble young hero
would still be living if the Persians knew how to bring up
their sons better, perhaps I should say gave them a more
varied education. Bart j a told me what Persian boys are
taught. To shoot with the how, to throw the spear, to ride,
to hunt, to speak the truth, and perhaps to distinguish
between useful and noxious plants, that is all that is
thought necessary to prepare them for life. Our Greek

G G

450

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

boys are also physically exercised and strengthened, for
health is merely repaired by the physician, but it is gained
in the gymnasium. If a Greek youth by constant train-
ing became stronger than a bull, more truthful than a
god, and wiser than the most learned Egyptian priest,
we should still shrug our shoulders when we looked at
him, if he wanted what can only be given by good ex r
ample and the careful cultivation of music combined with
gymnastics : grace and moderation. You smile because
you do not understand me, but you will agree with me,
when I show you that music, for which, according to
Sappho’s account, you seem to care, is as important
in education as gymnastics. Both, strange as this may
sound, have an equal influence in perfecting body and
soul. He who devotes himself solely to music, will at
first, it is true, become soft and flexible like iron in the
furnace, if he was wild, and moderate his harsh, coarse
manners, but finally his courage will vanish ; instead of
being violent, he will become irritable in small things
and useless as a warrior, thus neglecting the chief aim
of you Persians. He who only attends to gymnastics
j$ill, it is true, combine strength and manliness like Cam-
byses, but his soul — here I cease to compare — will remain
dull and blunt, and his feelings will want purity. He will
be deaf to calm reason, and, like a tiger, seek to effect
everything by unbridled violence. His life, deficient pro-
bably in grace and moderation, will become rude and
violent. Therefore music alone is not good for the soul,
nor gymnastics alone for the body, but both combined,
strengthen the body, elevate and calm the soul and
bestow manly grace and graceful manliness on the whole
character.” 1

Ehodopis was silent for a minute but soon continued :
“ He who has not received such an education and who from
his childhood is allowed to exhibit his roughness with im-
punity where and when he likes, he who always hears
flattery, but never well merited reproach, he who may com-
mand before he has learnt to obey, and is brought up on th#
principle that splendour, power and wealth «are the highest

1 This speech is baser! on Plato’s Republic.

THE KING*S REMORSE.

451

goods, can never obtain that true, noble manliness which
we ask of the gods for our sons. If such an unhappy
being is bora with a hot temper and a sensual mind, his
violence will be increased by bodily exercise without the
softening influence of music, and the child who perhaps
came into the world with good qualities, will, owing to
Jiis education, become a wild animal, a drunkard, who de-
stroys himself by insane fury.”

The Greek stopped. When her gaze met Cassandane’ s
eyes, wet with tears, she felt she had gone too far, and had
wounded the noble heart of a mother. She seized Cassan-
dane’s garment, kissed the hem, and said softy : “ Pardon
me!”

Cassandane nodded assent, saluted the Greek and pre-
pared to leave the room. On the threshold she stopped,
and said: “I am not angry, for your reproaches are just.
But do you, too, try to forgive, for I can assure you that
he who destroyed the happiness of your child and mine,
is, it is true, the mightiest, but also the most unhappy of
mortals. Farewell, and if you desire anything, remember
the widow of Cyrus, who would like to show you that
among other things Persians are taught magnanimity and
generosity.”

With these words Cassandane left the room.

The same day Bhodopis received news that Phanes, after
spending his time at Croton, near his friend Pythagoras,
in grave meditation, and languishing from the effects of his
wound, had died a few months ago with the calmness of a
philosopher.

Bhodopis was deeply moved at the news and said to
Crcesus : “ In Phanes, Greece loses one of her best sons,
but many like him live and are growing up. I do not fear
tlie ever increasing power of the Persians. I believe that my
home with its many heads will, when the wild desire for
conquest threatens her, become a giant with one head and
divine strength, who will vanquish brute force as surely as
the spirit rules the body.

Three days dater Sappho took a last farewell of her
grandmother and followed the queens to Persia, where in
spite of subsequent events, she always believed in Bartja s

452

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

possible return, and full of love, hope, and faithful remem-
brance, devoted herself entirely to the education of her
daughter and the care of aged Cassandane.

Little Parmys grew up in rare beauty. Next to the gods
she learned to love nothing so deeply as the memory of her
vanished father, who became a living man to her, through
her mother’s words. Atossa, in spite of the great happi-
ness, which was soon to dawn upon her, preserved her
former friendship for Sappho, and always called her by the
name of sister. In the summer Sappho inhabited the
hanging gardens at Babylon, and there in conversation
with Cassandane and Atossa she often remembered the
beautiful, innocent cause of events which had proved so
momentous for mighty realms, the Egyptian princess.

CHAPTER XXXIL

THE DEATH OF CAMBYSES*

W E might end onr story here did we not think it
necessary to give our readers an account of the
physical end of the king, who had long ago perished intel-
lectually, and of the fate of some of the minor characters
of our story.

A short time after the departure of the queen, news
came to Naueratis that Oroetes, satrap of Lydia, had
enticed his old foe, Polycrates, to Sardes, and there cruci-
lied him. Thus the tragic end which Axnasis had prophe-
sied for the tyrant, came to pass. The satrap had boldlj-
committed the deed without the king’s consent, because
changes had taken place in the Median realm, which
threatened to cause the downfall of the house of the
Achaemenidae.

The long sojourn of the king in a distant country had
lessened or destroyed the fear, with which, in former
times, his mere name inspired those who felt inclined to
* rebel. The news of his insanity withdrew from him the
reverence of his subjects, while the intelligence that from
mere arrogance he had sent thousands of his people to
certain death in the Ethiopian and Libyan deserts, filled
the hot-blooded Asiatics with a hatred which was fostered
and encouraged by the powerful magi, and which induced
first the Medes and the Assyrians and then the Persians,
to break out in open rebellion.

The governor appointed by Cambyses, the ambitious
dhiof priest, Orqpastes, placed himself at the head of this
rebellion from selfish motives, flattered the people by re-
mitting taxes, by great gifts and still greater promises, and

454

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

at last tried to gain possession of the Persian throne for liis
family by fraud when he saw with what gratitude his
kindness was recognised.

He remembered the wonderful resemblance between his
brother, Gaumata, whose ears had been cut off, and
Bartja, the son of Cyrus, and resolved, as soon as he heard
of the disappearance of the youth who was so much be-
loved by the Persians, to pretend that Gaumata was the
murdered man, and to seat him on the throne in Cam-
byses’ place. The hatred felt for the mad king in his
whole realm, and the great love which was felt for Bartja,
rendered this easy.

When numerous messengers of Oropastes went through
the provinces and announced to the discontented citizens
that the younger son of Cyrus was still alive in spite
of rumours to the contrary, that he had quarrelled with
his brother, ascended his father’s throne, and granted all
his subjects exemption from military service, and from
all taxes for three years, the new ruler was acknowledged
with loud acclamations in the whole kingdom.

The false Bartja had obeyed his brother, the chief priest,
to whose superior intellect he submitted readily, had taken
possession of the palace of Nissea in the Median plain,
placed the crown on his head, declared the king’s harem
his, and shown himself from afar to the people who were
to recognise in his face the features of the murdered
man. Afterwards, to prevent discovery, he kept himself
concealed in the palace, and in accordance with the custom
of Asiatic rulers, gave himself up to all sensual pleasures,
while his brother held the sceptre with firm hand, and
gave all important offices to his friends and companions,
the magi.

As soon as he felt secure he sent the eunuch Ixabates to
Egypt to inform the army of the change of rulers, to per-
suade it to revolt from Cambyses and to side with Bartja,
who, as we know, was adored above all by the soldiers.

The well-chosen messenger carried out his commission
skilfully, and had already won a large number of soldiers
for the new king, when he was captured by some Syrian^
in the hope of a reward, and brought to Memphis.

On his arrival at the town of the Pyramids, he was

THE DEATH OF CAMBYSES. 455

taken to the king, who promised, that he should not he
punished if he would tell the whole truth.

The envoy now confirmed the news, which had only
reached Egypt as a rumour, namely, that Bartja had
ascended the throne of Cyrus, and was already acknow-
ledged by the greater part of the kingdom. Cambyses was
as startled at the news as a man who sees the dead rise
•from their graves. In spite of his clouded intellect, he
knew that he had ordered Prexaspes to murder Bartja, and
that the former asserted that he liad obeyed his command,
lie suspected that his ambassador had deceived him, and
spared the young man’s life. He at once expressed this
sudden thought, reproached Prexaspes bitterly for his
treachery, and forced him to swear most solemnly that the
unhappy Bartja had fallen by his hand and been buried
by him.

Oropastes’ envoy was now asked if he himself had ever
seen the new king. He answered no, and added that the
reputed brother of Cambyses had only left his palace once
in order to show himself to the people from a distance.
Prexaspes now saw through the tissue of falsehoods spun
by the chief priest, and reminded the king of the fatal
mistake which had been caused by the wonderful resefh-
blanee of Bartja and Gaumata and finally staked his head
if his explanation should prove false. The insane king was
pleased with this, and henceforth was haunted by the
idea of capturing and slaving the magi.

The army was ordered to prepare for the march.
Aryan des, one of the Aehamienidse, was appointed satrap of
* Egypt, and the army started for Persia without delay.
Urged on by his new mania, the king took no rest and
turned night into day till in Syria, his horse, ill-treated by
the impetuous rider, fell, and he was unfortunately wounded
severely by his own dagger.

After he had lain unconscious for many days, he opened
his eyes and asked to see first Araspes, then his mother,
and finally Atossa, although all three had left many
months ago. His words proved that he had spent the last
Hhree years fr^m the outbreak of the fever till he received
his wound as m a dream. Ail that he was told about that
time seemed new to him, and filled his heart with grief. He

456

A N EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

was fully conscious of nothing but liis brother’s death. He
knew that Prexaspes had murdered him by his orders and
had told him that Bart j a lay buried on the shores of the
Red Sea. During the night that followed his awakening
it became clear to him that for a long time he had been
mad. Towards morning he fell into a deep sleep which
restored his strength so much that he was able to summon
Croesus, and order him to give a detailed account of what'
he had done during the last years.

His grey-haired counsellor obeyed the king’s command,
and concealed none of his acts of violence, though he
could scarcely hope to lead back to the right path the
man who had been confided to his care.

His joy was, therefore, great when he saw that his words
made a deep impression on the newly awakened mind of
the king. With tears in his eyes, Cambyses lamented his
crimes and his madness, begged pardon of Croesus with
the shamefacedness of a child, thanked him for his faithful
patience, and finally begged him to ask forgiveness in his
name, particularly of Cassandane and Sappho, but also of
Atossa and all whom he had unjustly injured.

The grey-haired Lydian shed tears of joy at these words,
afid was unwearied in assuring the sick monarch that he
would recover, and find ample opportunity of atoning for
the past by nobler deeds. Cambyses shook his head de-
cidedly, and begged the old man to have him carried into the
open air, his couch placed on an elevated site, and to summon
the Achsemenidse to assemble round him. When, in spite
of the opposition of the physicians, his orders were obeyed,
he had himself placed in an upright position, and said with
a voice, audible a long way off : “ It is now time, Persians,
to reveal to you my greatest secret. Deceived by a dream,
irritated and offended by my brother, I had him murdered
in my anger. Prexaspes committed the crime at my com-
mand; but, instead of its bringing me the repose I desired,
it brought me madness, and a torturing death. This con-
fession must convince you that my brother Bartja is no
longer among the living. The magi have taken possession
of the throne of the Acfuemenidso. At their head are*
Oropastes, whom I left behind as governor # of Persia, and
his brother G-aumata, who is so like Bartja that Croesus,

THE DEATH OF CAMBYSES.

457

Intaphemes, and my uncle, noble Hystapes, all mistook
him on one occasion for the murdered man. Woe to me
that I murdered him, who, as my relative, should have
avenged the insult the magi have put upon me ! But I
cannot awaken him from the dead, and therefore I appoint
you the executors of my last will. By the Berner of my
dead father, in the name of all pure and good spirits, I
charge you, do not let the government fall into the hands
of the treacherous magi. If they have seized the crown by
craft, seek to deprive them of it by craft ; if they took the
sceptre by force, recover it in the same way. If you obey
my last will, the earth shall bring forth her increase for
you, and your flocks and your wives shall be fruitful, and
freedom shall be your lot for ever ; but if you do not strive
to regain the power, then the contrary shall be your fate.
Yea, then all of you, then every Persian shall perish as I
do.” *

When the Achcemenidse saw the king weep, and sink
back exhausted, after he had spoken these words, they rent
their garments, and uttered a cry of woe.

A few hours later Cambyscs died in Croesus* arms. In
his last hour he thought of Nitetis, and died with her
name on his lips, and tears of repentance in his eyes. 3

When the Persians had left the impure body of the dead,
Croesus knelt before him, and, raising his hands to heaven,
cried: u Great Cyrus, I have kept my oath, and stayed
with this unhappy man, as a faithful counsellor, till the
end.**

On the following morning, the old man, accompanied by
"his son, went to his town, Barene, and lived there for many
years, a father to his subjects, greatly honoured by Darius
and praised by all his contemporaries.

After Cambyses* death, the heads of the seven Persian
clans consulted together, and resolved first of all to
satisfy themselves as to the person of the usurper. Otanes,
therefore, sent a faithful eunuch secretly to his daughter,
IJbedime, who was known to be in the possession of the
*

1 Herod., Hi, 65 . Tlie sentimental remorse of Cambyses is specially
mentioned.

458

AN EGYPTIAN PEINCESS.

new king, with the whole harem of Cambyses, which had
been left at Nisaea. Before the messenger returned, the
greater part of the army had dispersed, for the soldiers
eagerly seized the favourable opportunity of returning
home to their families after years of absence.

At length the long-expected messenger returned, and in-
formed Otanes that Phaedime had only once been visited
by the new king ; but, notwithstanding the risk she ran,
she had taken advantage of his sleep to convince herself
that his ears were really missing. Even without this dis-
covery she was in a position to prove that the usurper, who
was really remarkably like the murdered Bart j a, was none
other than G-aumata, the brother of Oropastes. Her old
friend Bogeswas again chief eunuch, and had initiated her
into the secret of the magi. The chief priest had found
the guardian of the women a beggar in the streets of Susa,
and with the words: “ You have forfeited your life, it is
true, but I need people like you,”, restored him to his
former position. Finally, Phaedime implored her father to
do all that was in his power to overthrow the magus,
who treated her with great contempt. She declared that
she was the most wretched of women.

* Although none of the Achaemenidse believed for a
moment that Bartja was still living, and had actually
seized the throne, they were nevertheless glad that Phoe-
dime had given them certain news as to who the usurper
really was, and resolved to go to Nisaea without delay with
the rest of the army, and to overthrow the magi by force
and stratagem. When they entered the new capital un-
opposed, and saw that the greater part of the people was*
satisfied with the new rule, they pretended to believe in
the identity of the king with the younger son of Cyrus,
and to be ready to do homage to him.

The magi were not deceived, they remained in the palace
in strict seclusion, assembled an army in the plains of Nisaja
by promises of great rewards, and did all in their power to
strengthen the belief in G-aumata. No one was able to do
more harm to their cause or, under the circumstances, to
further it better, than Prexaspes, for he was greatiy
respected by all the Persians, and was therefore able to
blunt the force of the rumour respecting Bartja’s actual

THE DEATH OE CAMBYSES,

459

death, which spread more and more, by declaring that he
had not murdered him. Oropastes, therefore, sent for
the ambassador, who was avoided by all his companions
since the king's last words, and was living the life of a pro-
scribed man. He promised him a great reward if he would
ascend a tower, and tell the people assembled in the court
that wicked men called him Bartja’ s murderer, while,
'with his own eyes, he had seen the new king, and recog-
nixed in him Cyrus’ younger son. Prexaspes agreed with-
out opposition, took an affectionate leave of his family,
while the people assembled in the palace court uttered a
short prayer to the gods by the sacred altar of fire, and
went with proud hearing to the palace. On the way he met
the heads of the seven clans ; and when he saw that they
avoided him, he cried : “ I deserve your contempt, hut I
will try to obtain your forgiveness.”

When Darius turned towards him, he hastened to him,
seized his hand, and said : “ I loved you as a son. If I
should die, care for my children, and use your pinions,
winged Darius! Then he proudly ascended the tower.
Many thousands of the citizens of Hissea heard him, when
he cried with loud voice: “You all know that the kings,
who ruled till now and gained for you glory and honoffir,
belonged to the dynasty of the Achaemenidse ; Cyrus ruled
over you like a just father, Cambyses like a severe ruler,
and Bartja would have guided you like a bridegroom,
if he had not fallen by this hand, which I show you,
on the shores of the Bed Sea. This shameful deed, by
Mithra, I committed it with bleeding heart, as a faithful
n servant, in obedience to the command of my lord and
king. But neither by day nor by night can I find rest,
and like a hunted animal, I have been driven and terri-
fied for four long years by the syfirits of darkness, who
chase sleep from the couch of the murderer. How, I
have resolved to end this life of torment and despair
with a worthy deed, and though I find no mercy on the
bridge Ohinvat, at least I shall deserve once more the
name of a good man, a name which I have stained. Know
ihen that the man who pretends to be the son of Cyrus,
sent me to thi? tower and promised me great rewards, if I
would ""deceive you and assure you that he is Bartja the

460

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

Achaemenide. But I laugh his promises to scorn, and
swear with the holiest oath I know, by Mithra and the
Feruer of the dead kings, t-.at he who rules you is no other
than the priest, G-aumata, who was deprived of his ears,
the brother of Oropastes, chief priest and governor, whom
you all know. If you wish to forget the fame you owe to
the Achsemenidse, if you wish to unite ingratitude and
humiliation, then acknowledge these miserable men and
call them your kings, but if you despise a lie, and are
ashamed of obeying unworthy deceivers, then drive away
the magi before Mithra leaves heaven ; choose the noblest
of the Achemenidse, who promises to be a second Cyrus,
Darius, the great son of Hystaspes, to be your king. That
you may believe my words and not suspect that Darius
sent me hither to win you for him, I will now commit a
deed which will destroy every doubt, and convince you that
truth and the honour of the Achsemenidse are more to me
than my life. May you be blessed if you follow my advice,
cursed if you do not again seize the government and
avenge yourself on the magi. Behold, I die a true and
honest man.”

With these words he mounted the highest battle-
riTent of the tower, flung himself down headlong and
died, atoning by a noble death for the sole crime of his
life.

The people, who had listened in perfect silence to his
words, now broke out in a loud cry of fury and rage, burst
open the palace gates, and were about to rush into the
interior with the cry “ Down with the Magi,” when the
seven chiefs stopped the furious crowd.

The citizens shouted with joy when they saw them, and
cried more impetuously than ever : “ Victory to King
Darius.”

The son of Hystaspes, borne aloft by the crowd, placed
himself in an elevated position, and told the people that
the Achsemenidse had just slain the magi as liars and
usurpers * of the throne. Renewed shouts answered his
words. When the bleeding heads of Oropastes and
G-aumata were shown to the crowd the howling mol?
rushed through the streets and killed * every magus

THE DEATH OP CAMBYSES.

461

whom they met. Night alone put a stop to the horrible
massacre.

Four days later, the son of Hystaspes was chosen king
by the chief Achoemenidoe, on account of his rank and
merits, and was acknowledged by the Persians with great

Darius had killed the magus Gaumata^with his own
hand, while Megabyzus, father of Zopyrus, stabbed the
chief priest. During Prexaspes’ address to the people, the
seven conspirators, Otanes, Intaphernes, Gobryas, Mega-
byzus, Aspatines, Hydarnes and Darius, who represented
his aged father Hystaspes, entered a door of the palace
which was not properly guarded, soon discovered where
the magi were assembled, and as they knew 'the interior
arrangements of the palace, and most of the guards were
occupied with watching the people who were listening to
Prexaspes, they reached the apartments where the magi
were waiting, without any delay. Here a few eunuchs,
among them Boges, opposed them, but in spite of their
attempted resistance, tlie conspirators slew them. . Boges
died by the hand of Darius, who recognised him and
attacked him with increased fury. The magi, alarmed by
the cries of the dying eunuchs, rushed out and defended
themselves when they saw what had happened. Oropastes
snatched a lance from Boges as he fell, put out In-
taphernes* eye and wounded Aspatines in the leg but was
stabbed by Megabyzus. G-aumata bed to the next room
and was about to bolt the door, when Darius and Gobryas
rushed in after him. The latter seized the magus, threw him
•down, and kneeling on him, kept him on the ground.
Darius stood in the darkened room hesitating, for he feared
if he struck he should wound Gobryas, who exclaimed when
he understood this : “ Strike, though you pierce us both ”
Then Darius made a thrust with his dagger and, fortu-
nately wounded only the magus.

Thus ended Oropastes, the chief priest, and Gaumata,
who is better known as the false Smerdis,

A few weeks after the election of Darius, which the
people said was brought about by wonderful divine signs, and
the c unni ng of a groom, the son of Hystaspes celebrated at

4:62 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

Pasargada a splendid festival in honour of his coronation
and a still more splendid festival in honour of his marriage
with his beloved Atossa , 1 the daughter of Cyrus. The
young wife, matured by her sad fate, remained the faith-
ful, loved and honoured companion of her husband, to
the end of his famous, active life. Darius became, as
Prexaspes had foretold, a king whose deeds were well
calculated to gain for him the titles of a second Cyru^
and the Great.

He was a brave, prudent general, and was able to
rule his great kingdom so excellently that he must be
considered one of the greatest organizers of all countries
and times. His weak successors owed it to him alone,
that the enormous realm was able to exist two centuries
longer. He was generous with his treasures, and careful
of the possessions of his subjects ; he was able to
bestow truly regal gifts without demanding more than was
his due. Instead of extorting money, as had been done
by Cyrus and Cambyses, he introduced a regular system
of taxation, and neither obstacles, nor the scorn of the
Achaemenidse, deterred him from introducing what he
considered right, though he was called “ a trader,” because
of his financial measures, which seemed petty to men who
were exclusively devoted to martial enterprise. Hot the
least important of his measures, was the introduction of
a uniform coinage into his kingdom and thus into half
the then known world.

He respected the customs and religion of every nation,
and permitted the Jews to continue to rebuild their temple,
after they had discovered in the archives of Ecbatana the*
document of Cyrus of which Cambyses had been ignorant.
He allowed the Ionian cities to rule their communities
independently, and he would scarcely have sent his armies
against Greece if he had not been insulted, especially by
the Athenians.

Among other things he had learnt political economy
from the Egyptians. He therefore showed particular
respect to this nation and bestowed many benefits on them ;

1 Atossa is repeatedly called Darius’s favourite* wife ; and her son
Xerxes was appointed heir to the throne, though Darius uhd three
older sons by the daughter of Gobryos,

THE DEATH OF CAMBYSES.

463

for instance, he connected tlie Nile with the Bed Sea, by
means of a canal, in order to increase Egyptian trade.

During his whole reign he tried to make up by kindness
for the severity with which Cambyses had treated the
Egyptians, and in later years he still liked to occupy him-
self with the intellectual treasures of that wise people,
w^th whose manners and customs no one was allowed to
interfere during his lifetime. The aged chief priest, Nei-
thotep, who had been his teacher, enjoyed the favour of
the king to the end, and the latter often made use of the
remarkable astrological knowledge of the old philosopher.

The Egyptians acknowledged the kindnesss of the new
ruler, and called Darius a deity, like their former kings,
but in the last years of his life they forgot their gratitude,
and, yielding to their desire for independence, tried to
throw off the mild yoke which galled them, because it was
imposed without then consent.

Their noble lord and protector was not to see the end of
these struggles. It was reserved for Xerxes, the successor
and son of Darius, to lead the inhabitants of the Nile
Valley back to an enforced, and therefore impossible
obedience.

Darius erected a splendid palace on Mount Bachmed,
near Persepolis, as a worthy monument of his greatness ;
its ruins still arouse the astonishment and admiration
of travellers. Six thousand Egyptians, who had been
taken to Persia by Cambyses, helped in the work and
assisted the workmen who were commissioned to build a
# royal tomb for Darius and his descendants. The rocky
chambers, difficult of access, have defied time, and still
serve as dwellings for innumerable wild pigeons. On a wall
of the smooth rock of Bisitun or Behistan, not far from the
spot where he saved Atossa’s life, Darius had the history
of his deeds carved in Persian, Median and Assyrian. The
Assyrian and Persian portions of the inscriptions have been
deciphered accurately. An account of the events described
in our last chapters is found there, which agrees on the
idiole with that of Herodotus. The Persian text says:
“ Darius the Bing said : That which I did, was done by
the grstee of Auramazda. After the kings became re-
bellious, I fought nineteen battles. I defeated them

464

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

with Auramazda’s lielp. Nine kings I made captive. One
was named G-aumata ; he was a Mode, and he lied when
he said : ‘lam Bardiya (Bartja) son of Cyrus.’ He made
Persia revolt.”

Further on he names the chiefs who helped him to over-
throw the magi, and in another passage he says : “ Darius
the King says : What I did I performed in every way with
Auramazda’s help. Auramazda brought me help, and tlfe
other gods who exist, because I was not an enemy, a liar,
or a despot, neither I nor my family. He who helped my
race, him have I favoured, he who was hostile, him have
I punished severely. You who will be King after me,
be not friendly with a man who is a liar or a rebel, punish
him with a severe punishment. Thus says Darius the
King. You who see the writings I have written or these
pictures, destroy them not, but preserve them as long as
you live,” &c.

We have only to record that Zopyrus, the son of Mega-
byzus, remained Darius’ faithful friend till his death.

One day a courtier showed the king a pomegranate and
asked him : “ What happiness would you like to possess
as many times as this fruit has seeds.” Darms answered,
without a moment’s hesitation : “ Zopyrus.”

He was able to repay the affection of his royal friend.
During nine months Darius had in vain besieged Babylon,
which had revolted from the Persians after Cambyses’
death. One day, when the siege was about to be raised,
Zopyrus appeared before the king, bleeding, and without
nose or ears. He told him that he had mutilated himself
in order to deceive the Babylonians, who must know hintf
well since he had once been very friendly -with their
daughters. He would convince the insolent citizens that
Darius had mutilated him, and that he had come to avenge
himself on the king with their help. They would give
him the troops with whom he intended to make a few
successful sallies in order to gain the confidence of the
town. Finally he would obtain the keys, and open the
gates of Semiramis to his friends.

These words, spoken in a jesting tone, $nd the sad con-
dition of his once handsome friend, moved the king«io tears.
When, by means of Zopyrus’ stratagem, the almost im-

THE DEATH OP CAMBYSES.

465

pregnable fortress was really taken, lie exclaimed : u I
would give a hundred Babylons if Zopyrus had not
mutilated himself.”

He appointed his friend governor of the huge city, gave
him all the revenues, and annually bestowed on him rare
gifts. In later days he was accustomed to say that, with
4he exception of Cyrus, with whom no man could be com-
pared, no one had ever done so noble a deed as Zopyrus.

Few rulers could boast of such self-sacrificing friends as
Darius possessed, because few understood how to show
gratitude as well as he.

When Syloson, brother of murdered Polycrates, came to
Susa one day, and reminded him of the service he had
done him, Darius received him as a friend, placed ships
and soldiers at his disposal, and helped him to conquer the
Samians.

The islanders offered a desperate resistance to the foreign
troops of the new tyrant, and, when they were at last
obliged to yield, said: “We have much space in the land
for Syloson’ s sake.”

Rhodopis lived to see the murder of Hipparchus by
Harmodius and Aristogiton. and the fall of his brother
Hippias, the tyrant of Artiens. She died in the arms of
her best friends, Theopompus the Milesian and Callias the
Athenian, fully convinced of the high destiny of the Greeks.
All Haucratis mourned the noble Greek, and Callias sent
a messenger to Susa to inform the king and Sappho of the
death of his friend.

A few months later the satrap of Egypt received the
following letter from Darius : —

“ As we knew and honoured Rhodopis the Greek, who
died recently at Haucratis ; as her grandchild is the widow
of a legitimate heir to the Persian throne, and still enjoys the
honour shown to a queen ; as I have lately chosen Parmys,
the great grandchild of the deceased, daughter of Bart j a
and Sappho, to be my third wife, it seems just that we
should show royal honours to the mortal remains of the
ancestress of two great queens. I therefore command
£hat you bury# with royal pomp the ashes of Rhodopis,
whom^e always considered the greatest and most remark*
able of women, in the greatest and most remarkable of

466

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

monuments — that is, in the finest of the Pyramids. The
ashes of the deceased are to be preserved in the precious
urn which Sappho sends.

Given in

the New Palace at Persepolis,

DARIUS^ Son op Hystaspes,
King.”

THE END.

Reprinted from Stereotype Plates by Charles Whittingham and Co,
Tooks Court, Chancery Lane, London.